Contractor for Home Repairs
Whether you need a simple home repair or a major remodeling project, the right contractor can make all the difference. But with so many contractors to choose from, finding the right one can feel like a daunting task.
Before you hire anyone, follow these six tips to ensure you are hiring a licensed contractor for your project.
- Check Their License
Licensed contractors are subject to statutes that help protect you, the consumer. These laws cover many things, including minimum education and experience requirements, business management competency and criminal background checks.
Before you hire a contractor, ask to see their license and check it with your state’s consumer protection agency. You should also ask for references from satisfied customers and if possible visit recent job sites to visually inspect the work.
Also, don’t hire a contractor that is not insured. It puts you at risk if something goes wrong during the job, since you could be held liable. The ideal contractor will have both workman’s compensation and general liability insurance.
- Check Their Insurance
When you hire a contractor for work on your home, it’s essential to verify their insurance. It’s best to only work with contractors who have a valid license and carry the proper insurance coverage.
While it may be tempting to hire a “guy with a truck,” this type of contractor often doesn’t have the proper insurance. Plus, if they get hurt working on your property, you could end up footing the bill for their medical expenses. Make sure that any contractors you hire have workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Also, ask to see their Certificate of Insurance. The date on the certificate is important as well.
- Check Their Reputation
Reputation sites like Angie’s List and Home Advisor allow consumers to read reviews from other homeowners and compare quotes. Additionally, you can also check a business’s BBB listing to see whether they have been reported for unethical or dishonest practices.
Companies with longevity and stability may be more reputable. They are likely to have a physical office and provide an address for customers to contact them. They should also have a policy for putting deposits in escrow or proving they have bond insurance to protect customer’s money.
A payment schedule can speak volumes about a contractor’s work ethic and financial status. They should require 10 percent at contract signing, three payments
of 25 percent evenly spaced over the project duration and a final 15 percent when the job is complete.
- Check Their Work
In addition to making sure all contractors you consider have local references, call those references to see if they were satisfied with the contractor’s work. Ask if they were kept informed about the progress of the work and whether or not it was completed within the timeline. Also, be sure to get lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers before final payment is made.
It may seem tempting to choose an unlicensed contractor for a home improvement project because they often quote lower prices than the licensed competition. However, that low price is typically attributed to the fact they don’t have the higher overhead costs of licensing fees.
- Check Their Pricing
After you’ve narrowed down your list to contractors with good references, get estimates from each one. This will help you compare rates and get the best deal.
Be wary of any estimates that are wildly different from the others. A high contractor may have spotted a problem that the other two didn’t, or they might simply be charging more for labor.
A low estimate may indicate that a contractor is cutting corners or desperate for work. Be sure to ask for detailed invoices and progress payments tied to specific work milestones. This will prevent you from being taken advantage of. It also helps you keep track of your project and its cost.
- Check Their Experience
Many contractors specialize in particular types of work, and it is important to find one who routinely performs the type of home repairs you need. Experience and expertise will be reflected in the quality of their work and their ability to troubleshoot problems. The top rated home warranty companies in California will send their most experienced contractors to work on your home. Look for experience and reputable contractors.
Ask each contractor for references from past clients with similar projects. Contact these references and inquire about the contractor’s professionalism, timeliness, and pricing.
Look for a contract that clearly spells out project costs, work to be performed, deadlines, warranties and guarantees. Reputable contractors will insist on clear written contracts to prevent miscommunication and misunderstandings. This will help to ensure your project goes smoothly and according to plan.
