Contractor for Home Repairs
Ultimately, it’s up to you to make sure that the contractors you’re considering are legitimate. Ask for references and verify that they are licensed by contacting your state’s licensing agency or look up reviews if you find them online.
Also, consider requesting estimates from multiple contractors and ask them to include itemized costs including materials, labor, and profit. Be wary of estimates that are exceptionally low or high.
- Ask for Recommendations
When searching for a contractor, it’s often best to seek recommendations from family members, neighbors, and friends who have had home repairs done recently. Real estate agents are another valuable resource since they can provide referrals from clients that have worked with a variety of contractors and service providers.
Additionally, homeowners can research online for reviews and testimonials from previous customers. It’s important for homeowners to get a realistic timeline from contractors as well. This will help keep the project on track and prevent it from going over budget. Homeowners should also check in with consumer protection agencies and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or lawsuits against contractors.
- Check Their License
When choosing a contractor, you want to be sure they are licensed. Using unlicensed contractors comes with risks for the homeowner. Typically, those who are unlicensed perform general maintenance and “handyman” tasks and do not take on new technically challenging installations that may require a permit from the local building department.
They also typically do not have bonding, worker’s compensation or liability insurance. This can affect your home owner’s insurance policy and leave you liable for any damages caused by their work. Checking their license is an easy way to make sure they are reputable. Also, look at their business longevity and stability.
- Check Their Insurance
It’s a good idea to choose a licensed contractor with liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Licensed contractors must carry both to maintain their license. Unlicensed contractors don’t have this coverage, so if they get hurt while working on your home, you’ll be held liable for the cost of their medical bills.
This is one of the main reasons why it’s best to avoid “storm chasers” – non-local contractors who show up at your door or call you unsolicited after a major storm. They can be difficult to track down if they do work that doesn’t meet local code requirements or have workmanship concerns.
- Check Their Work History
It’s important to hire a contractor who has experience working on projects similar to yours. This ensures that they’ll know how to approach the project and will follow local building codes.
Be wary of contractors who offer a low estimate. They may be inexperienced or trying to cut corners.
Also be wary of non-local “storm chasers” who appear after hurricanes or floods and promise to fix your home repairs. These contractors are often difficult to track down and often use high-pressure sales tactics. They may also be unwilling to provide a written contract and deposit money into an escrow account. This can lead to disputes and legal issues down the road.
- Check for Complaints
Your home is your biggest investment, so you want to hire someone who will treat it with the utmost care. If a contractor has a long history of consumer complaints, it may be time to move on to another candidate.
Also, ask each contractor to clarify any assumptions or exclusions in their bid. This will help prevent surprises down the line.
Be wary of online contractor referral services that don’t properly vet their contractors. Checking a company’s license and complaint history on the main website is an important step to protect yourself. You should look for a contractor with zero filed complaints.
- Ask for References
A good contractor should be more than happy to provide you with references from past clients. These should be people that are willing to talk with you in person and answer your questions. Also, make sure that you ask if they were satisfied with their projects and what type of warranty they received.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to ask them whether they would rehire that contractor for future projects and why or why not. This will help you determine if the contractor is someone who you can trust to do a quality job for you. Oftentimes if a contractor is willing to give you help from their company, they are more likely to have the experience and education to help. For example, Cinch Home Warranty Solutions Refrigerator Recommendations give an impression that a company has a lot to offer as far as help goes. A reputable company that has great experiences with their customers won’t shy away from recommending products or tips to help their customers with their issues.