If you are looking for a remodeling contractor be prepared to do some research. Changing the kitchen, updating the bathroom or even adding a , should never be taken lightly. If you contract the wrong company to add that addition to your home, you could be living with a room you hate for many years to come. Taking some time to search for the right person or company for the job is the only way to ensure that home improvements are done right.
When looking for remodeling personnel, be sure to get estimates from several different construction companies. Locating a good contractor requires more than spending a few moments on the phone. Take the time to compare prices, level of professionalism and what their specialty is.
Homeowners that are willing to take some time and review their options have a much better chance of finding a good contractor. A bad remodeling job can lead to costly repairs and unhappiness about the way the house looks. Save trouble and money by sticking to a few guidelines.
Before choosing a home repair company, get three or more estimates. Shop around a bit. Settling on the first company you get an estimate for is not wise. Checking out a variety of remodeling companies is the best way to find favorable pricing. One contractor can price a project at a price that is much less or more than another. Check to see if the companies are all drafting the proposal on the same level.
Request proof of the license and the certificate of insurance that contractors are required to have in most states. Make sure you see a copy of this information before any contractor begins working on your home. Check for a worker's compensation inclusion and make sure that it is up to date. If the policy has lapsed and something happens to a worker on site, you could be liable for damages.
Get reviews from local references. Talking to former clients is one of the best ways to find out what type of reputation a contractor has. Of course, a reputation can be misleading but by using a contractor that has a good one, you will have a better chance of being satisfied with the job.
A home is vital financial asset. Having an expert contractor is essential and taking time to search for one is important Homeowners must put forth effort to locate the best contractor that is available. Do not be fooled by companies that have advertisements and commercials. Just because they are advertising does not mean that they will do a good job. After meeting a few contractors, investigate the ones you feel comfortable with and choose the best one for the job.
Home repair scams by traveling con-artists work like this: Con-artists stop at your door, give you a hard sell, and offer sensational low prices. It might be for roofing or painting, tree-trimming, or asphalting your driveway with material supposedly "left over" from a job nearby. The con-artists insist that you pay in advance -- but they do little or no work and never return. Remember, legitimate contractors very rarely solicit door-to-door. Be skeptical. The main rules are to check out a contractor, and never pay large sums in advance to a contractor you don't know. Help older neighbors who might be pressured or intimidated into paying traveling con-artists.
A few 'bad-apple' local contractors also take large advance payments but fail to do the work, or do just part of a job or very shoddy work. This is hard to prove as fraud, but it's costly and frustrating. Follow these tips to protect yourself when you hire a contractor:
Beware of high-pressure sales tactics such as "today-only" discounts, offers to use your home as a "display home" for replacement siding or windows, and "lifetime warranty" offers that only last for the life of the company. Always get several written estimates -- shop around for the best deal before making such a large investment.
Check out a contractor before you sign a contract or pay any money. Request local references -- and check them out. Contact the Attorney General's Office to see if it has complaints or contact the Better Business Bureau. You can also contact your county clerk of court and ask how to check if a contractor has been sued by unsatisfied customers.
Get it in writing. Before any work begins, agree on a written contract detailing work to be done, responsibility for permits, costs, and any other promises. Ask for a copy of the contractor's liability insurance certificate. Put start and completion dates in writing, and consequences if the contractor fails to meet them. (Example: the contract could be nullified if the contractor doesn't start on time.) If you sign a contract at your home, in most cases you have three business days to cancel.
Avoid paying large sums in advance if you don't know the contractor. If you have to make a partial advance payment for materials, make your check out to the supplier and the contractor. Insist on a "mechanic's lien waiver" in case the contractor fails to pay others for materials or labor.
Be very cautious of credit or financing arranged by a contractor. This is an area of serious abuse by a few contractors in Iowa who arrange credit with high-cost lenders. Such loans may have high interest rates, steep up-front fees, hidden costs, and even costly brokers' fees. Be wary of offers to incorporate credit-card debt or other debt into a second mortgage. Check first with your attorney or a local lender you can trust.
Both Kurt Schefken & Lar are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kurt Schefken has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diamonds, Home Renovation Ideas and Coffee Advantages. Kurt Schefken continually edits detailed papers on news dealing with how to build a garage workbench. His abstracts on