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Who s Your Next Contractor
tarting any home can find contractor so don’t pick
improvement project can be one source. Check the local
an expensive task. Like any pages, BBB, licensing databases
type of project the “right” in your state, contractors own
people make the difference for a references and finally like in
successful conclusion. It will most aspects of life the Internet
save money and time. Even if it offers information on local
is a small project or repair, contractors in your area. Finally
care should be taken when the “FREE” estimate since it is
selecting the “right” contractor free contact at least three or
or home improvement company. four contractors for estimates
this will help you in making an
Finding the right contractor for educated decision. For a smaller
your home improvement project. project probably three would
suffice.
Naturally the first advice is to
seek someone who has been Meeting with the contractor.
recommended by a trusted source.
Relatives, friends or neighbors All meetings personal or business
are a good starting point. It is rely on first impressions. Your
natural to assume that these instinct comes into play here if
referrals can be trusted however you don’t feel right about a
be sure to check how long ago the contractor then probably he’s not
work was done. The reason for the right choice for you. Allow
this is that over years there is at least for one hour per
turnover in a crew or the actual interview and ask as many
owner may have done the work if questions as you can. A good
he had just started in the contractor will deliver more
business. Outside your immediate information than you need and in
circle there are many places you most cases your husband or wife
may not be present and you will so does he have a copy or can he
have to explain the information provide it. This is question #1,
to them. as you should not proceed if the
answer is NO. If you live under a
Questions you should come away homeowners association most
with an answer after the initial likely he will be required to
meeting: have it do work in your
community. In addition he must
· Is the contractor or salesman have workman’s compensation. This
presentable in appearance is important in addition to
· Is the salesman the owner if liability insurance. Contractors
not does he sell for many with all these requirements will
different contractors? cost more. However if someone
· Was he detailed and willing to gets injured on your property the
explain all your questions? legal costs and aggravation may
· Is he willing to discuss other be more than the extra money you
jobs his company has worked on. are paying.
· Was he polite?
· Did you feel any pressure to 2. How long has the contractor
buy or sign on the proverbial been in business and how long has
dotted line? he been in business in your area.
· Is he trained by the If it is a new business he may
manufacturer to install and use have just opened a franchise
the equipment or materials since the franchise has checked
required? and trained this person being a
new business is not a negative.
10 important questions about the If he’s a newer business he may
contractor you may hire. have worked in the business and
decided to go at it on his own.
1. Is he licensed and insured. If This is not bad and you may
consider this in you decision
making as he is trying to make a 5. References. Ask not only to
name for himself and may provide see them but also obviously
more attention to you and perhaps contact them and if it is
a better price to build up his possible, go see actual jobs.
business. Does he offer before and after
pictures of previous jobs? Does
3. As a contractor, does he need he have a website showing
a license and if so does he have completed jobs and “actual”
it and is willing to provide it. references? In addition ask for
In some states you can look him business references such as
up and see if it is updated and suppliers, landlords etc.
has he ever been disciplined or
reprimanded. Not all work 6. Customer complaints are a fact
requires a license and not all of life. The important thing is
states require a person or how are they handled and what is
business to carry one. the time frame to resolve them on
average.
4. Warranty. Like any commerce
transaction ask about the 7. When you talk to the
materials, are they top quality references ask if the contractor
and do they have a manufacturers did a final walk thru and made
warranty? What kind of sure they were happy. Did he send
workmanship warranty is included a thank you note and has he
if it is not a material defect followed up during the work as
but an installation defect? How well as after the job was
long is this warranty and do you completed. Contractors who seek
need to contact the contractor or referrals make sure they are
the manufacturer in the case of proud of their work and do a good
defective materials? job.
does not pay his subcontractor
8. Deposits are a sore issue; your home may get a lien and you
contractors will want a deposit may be responsible. In addition
from you to show you are serious he may have less control of the
and about the job. On the other crew and their skill level.
hand contractors that are not However in larger jobs this is
reputable will take it and run. very common but you should still
So what to do? If the job is question their relationship with
small the deposit if any should other companies they do business
be small or none meaning you pay with.
in full when the job is done. If
the job is a pool, addition, 10. The contract is a legal and
remodeling or large scale you binding document and should be
should expect to provide a read carefully and explained to
deposit and adhere to a payment you by the contractor. If you
schedule. The payment schedule don’t understand it ask a third
should be in the contract and you party, preferably a lawyer if it
should stick to it. Never deviate is a large amount of money. Here
from this schedule. Paying on a are a few things you should look
credit card can give and extra at:
level of protection as the
contractor will have to answer as · Product choices (colors,
merchant to the bank and you have materials)
one more ally if the project is · Right to rescind (Each state
not completed as promised. may be different)
· Scheduling (Start, finish and
9. Does the contractor sub milestone dates)
contract his work or does he · Possible delays (weather,
manage and hire his own crews? material shortage, etc)
This is important because if he · Down payment and payment
schedule "728x15_0ads_al";
· Manufacturer warranties
· Labor warranty google_ad_channel =
· Walk thru and final inspection "3545651507";
· Local government and home
owners approvals google_color_border =
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Additional sources you should
consider: google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
· Your local Better Business google_color_link =
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· Local government and state
licensing google_color_text =
· Trade associations "3E3F43";
· Third party niche sites on the
Internet google_color_url =
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About the Author:
Lee Starusta, President of http://www.yourcontractordirect.com This article may be used and reprinted for online and offline media provided the "About box" is kept intact. Copyright 2006-2007 All rights reserved.
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