subject: Five Steps To Hiring A Reputable Contractor [print this page] One of the things every homeowner will need to do at some point is to hire a contractor to help with renovations. Cautionary tales of scam artists posing as home improvement contractors are rampant, so here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin your search for a contractor in your area.
1. As with any service provided by a company, you should begin your search with the Better Business Bureau. Check for marks on the contractor's record and ensure that they have up-to-date credentials with the BBB. Your town's building inspector can also provide useful information regarding the contractor's qualifications. Recommendations from people you know, as well as references from homeowners who have had projects completed by the contractor, are also helpful.
2. As laymen, we might think a home improvement project will take a long time to complete and cost quite a bit of money, it may not be the case. Look into it for yourself by mapping out details of the proposed project and then hit the library. Find out what such a repair or renovation might typically cost and how long it would take to get done.
3. If ever there was a time for you to put a deal into writing, this is it. Make no mistake about it, there are definitely people posing as contractors who will take the money and run without doing a day's work, so write everything out before one nail is hammered. Document everything that you want done, including when the work should begin in the morning and end at night. Also, make sure to specify that disruptions to your family should be kept to a minimum for the duration of the project and that you expect the work area to be as clean as possible at the end of the day.
4. A critical point to remember is that, if your contractor does not have insurance, you could be sued if your contractor's employees hurt themselves while working in your home. Make sure that the contractor has liability insurance, but don't just take his word for it. Ask for a copy of the Certificate of Insurance. Even with the copy in your hand, do not assume that the contractor really does have coverage. Take it upon yourself to call the insurance carrier and confirm it. Also, ensure that the contractor has workmen's comp coverage.
5. Although most contractors are honest, some are not. If you pay for your renovation before it is done, you are taking a big chance that you may regret. There are lots of unscrupulous "contractors" who will take your money and run, so only pay a portion of what you owe until the job is done.
It really is possible to find a qualified professional to help you with home repairs or renovations, but you need to do your work before they can do theirs. Put everything in writing and pay just part of what the job should cost, so you know you won't be taken advantage of, and you'll be protecting yourself as you're repairing your home.
