Apr 12
12
How to Properly Assess a Home Improvement Contractor
Finding the right home improvement contractor is a serious task that needs lots of work. Here, you need to carefully screen each applicant. You need to look for someone you can trust, so thorough background check is always necessary.
The very first thing you need to do in assessing a home improvement contractor is to check if the contractor has the appropriate license. Check whether a certain applicant is legally licensed to do the job. Along with this, you need to check if the contractor is covered with particular insurances such as the adequate workers compensation insurance and liability insurance.
Don’t forget to ask the contractor for references. It is best if you ask the contractor to submit a written listing of at least three of the previous home projects that he/she have finished. This list must have the homeowners name and the respective contact details. Make the effort to contact these homeowners and ask for their opinion or comments regarding the contractor’s work.
Another important reference source that should not be missed in evaluating a prospective home improvement contractor is the local business bureau, the local building regulators, and the Office of the Attorney General. These offices have complete records of all the registered and licensed contractors. You can find out from their records if a contractor has some consumer complaints, or if he/she has been subjected to any disciplinary actions before. All these information are necessary in deciding whether a contractor can be trusted or not.
Once you have chosen who meets your basic requirements, it is highly recommended that you draw up or ask for a working contract. Give the job to the home improvement contractor only after a written agreement has been agreed on and signed. If you can consult the agreement terms with your lawyer, it will be much better.
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