| Over the years I have worked with hundreds of | | | | 10 Things You Should Do Before Hiring A Contractor |
| clients. No matter if it was a new home, room | | | | 1. Licensing - Find out if the contractor is licensed and |
| addition or a remodeling project, I tried very hard to | | | | or bonded in the cities, counties or states in which it |
| do the job right. With the reputation that contractors | | | | is required. |
| can have now days, it is very important for the | | | | 2. Insurance - Make sure the contractor carries liability |
| homeowner to make the right decisions when hiring a | | | | insurance and make sure you see a copy of it. |
| contractor. With so many contractors out there all | | | | 3. Workers Comp. - Make sure your contractor |
| telling you that they will do the best job for you, it | | | | carries Worker's Comp. Insurance and ask to see the |
| takes more then just having a good feeling about a | | | | certificate |
| contractor or even a good referral from a friend or | | | | 4. Complaints - Check with the Better Business |
| relative. | | | | Bureau for unresolved complaints with the contractor |
| So, after over 40 years of dealing with people, | | | | 5.Client References - Ask for at least 5 or more |
| working with sub contractors and just knowing what | | | | current and past client references. Make sure you call |
| are the right things to do to make the building | | | | them and ask questions. |
| experience the best it could possibly be for my | | | | 6. Professional References - Ask for at least 5 or |
| clients, I have come up with two lists that the | | | | more material suppliers and sub contractor |
| homeowner can use as a guideline in helping them to | | | | references. Again, make sure you call them and ask |
| make the right choice when hiring a building | | | | questions. If the contractor is not paying his bills in a |
| contractor. | | | | timely matter, you need to be aware of that |
| 5 Things You Should Not Do Before Hiring a | | | | because chances are this could be a big problem for |
| Contractor | | | | you down the road. |
| 1. Lowest Price - Don't choose your contractor just | | | | 7. Permits - Make sure the contractor takes out the |
| because he is the lowest priced. A legitimate | | | | necessary building and zoning permits whenever it is |
| contractor has many expenses to keep his company | | | | required. Having your project inspected insures you |
| going. Contractor's need to carry liability insurance, | | | | that the job will get done in accordance with the city, |
| worker's comp. insurance and health insurance for | | | | county and state requirements. |
| employees. They have several operating expenses | | | | 8. Professional Organizations - If your Contractor is a |
| and pay city, state and federal taxes. With all these | | | | member of The Home Builders Association - The |
| expenses it will become apparent that they will have | | | | National Association of the Remodeling Industry - |
| to charge enough to help cover their costs. Even | | | | The Better Business Bureau or any other professional |
| though the contractor you hire may not be the | | | | organization, it means that time, effort and money |
| lowest priced, you can rest assured you are getting | | | | went into joining and he or she is serious about their |
| a contractor that is doing things the right way and | | | | business. These types of organizations don't just let |
| that is what you can expect out of the job they do | | | | anyone join them. They do a thorough check up of |
| for you. | | | | each contractor that applies for membership before |
| 2. Down Payment - Never give a contractor a large | | | | they accept them. |
| down payment! In most cases a down payment of | | | | 9. Sub-Contractors - Ask your contractor for the |
| 5% to 20% down, is all that is needed for a | | | | names of the sub contractors he or she is going to |
| contractor to get the job started. If someone is | | | | use and don't be afraid to check them out as well. |
| asking for a third or half down, you better be | | | | As a rule, if a company is incorporated then that is a |
| cautious. Unless the contractor has ordered | | | | plus but this does not mean that you still should not |
| something special that you requested and the | | | | check them out. You can make inquiries with your |
| company require a large amount down, there should | | | | local building department and the Better Business |
| be no reason for you to have to give a down | | | | Bureau. |
| payment that large. If the contractor does ask for | | | | 10. Get Everything In Writing! - Get as much detail as |
| that much, make sure you get it in writing as to | | | | possible. This should include an itemized signed and |
| where the money is going. | | | | dated estimate or cost breakdown. Once you |
| 3. Credit - Don't give a contractor all the money up | | | | decided on who you are going to hire; "Make Sure |
| front for the materials needed for the entire job. If a | | | | You Sign A Contract!" The contract should specify |
| contractor does not have accounts set up with | | | | the cost of the project, the down payment and |
| suppliers, there is usually a reason. One reason could | | | | payment schedule, the approximate completion time, |
| be that he or she is just starting out and has not | | | | the name and address of the contractor's liability |
| established credit yet, or another might be that the | | | | insurance company, the companies guarantee or |
| contractor has some credit problems and if he or she | | | | warranty, information as to the contractor and or |
| does, that could spell trouble for you. | | | | sub contractor's being licensed and insured, and an |
| 4. Get It In Writing - Never hire a contractor unless | | | | acceptance clause and places for you and the |
| you get a legible cost break down or estimate and a | | | | contractor to sign and date. Do not be afraid to ask |
| signed contract. I can not stress this enough. Make | | | | your contractor a copy of the company's contract to |
| sure everything you want is spelled out exactly the | | | | have your attorney look over before you sign. You |
| way you agreed. A verbal agreement is not | | | | can check with the BBB, NARI and the Home Builder's |
| satisfactory. This will protect you and it will also | | | | Association for information on contracts. |
| protect the contractor. It is the only way you should | | | | These two lists set the ideal standard. It may not be |
| do business with a contractor. | | | | possible for the contractor you want to hire, to |
| 5. Recommendations - Don't hire a contractor just | | | | come up to this standard completely on every point, |
| because the company was recommended by a friend | | | | but if you follow these guidelines, hopefully you will |
| or neighbor. Although this could be a good thing that | | | | feel better about the choice you make. Remember, |
| someone you know has used the contractor and had | | | | depending on your project, you will have to deal with |
| good results, make sure you check with others who | | | | the person you hire for the entire length of your |
| have used the company as well. Follow the guidelines | | | | project, so why not try to make that as pleasant an |
| in the last post, "Ten Things You Should Do Before | | | | experience as possible. |
| Hiring a Contractor." | | | | |