Home Improvement: Don’t Hire the First Contractor You See and Ask These 6 Questions First

Many people hire a contractor for home repairs and improvements because they want the job done right. Very often, homeowners do not have the knowledge, training, or expertise to perform these types of jobs themselves, so they trust a contractor to do the job for them. This means that the homeowner must trust the contractor in areas where they are not familiar. Unfortunately, this unfamiliarity can make it difficult for homeowners to find a contractor that will provide the service they need. Fortunately, these six questions can help homeowners find a contractor that they can trust without hiring the first person they see or the one with the cheapest price.

1. How Long Have They Been in Business?

Knowing that a contractor has been in business for several years can provide more confidence in their ability to do the job right. Chances are that a company that has been in business for twenty years or more could not have done so by providing poor work. However, this does not mean that newly started businesses should be dismissed. When a company is new, it does not necessarily mean that the contractor has no experience. Ask about the previous work and years spent in the business. This will help homeowners identify those that are able to handle the job without facing serious issues. Homeowners can always find experienced contractors by contacting Helitech.

2. Are They Licensed?

Every city and state have their own rules on the requirements a contractor must have to be licensed to practice in that area. It is important for homeowners to understand the rules of their locality and search out contractors that are properly licensed. When inquiring about the license, do not just take the contractor’s word for it. Any reputable contractor will be willing to provide that information. Homeowners should also check to ensure that the licensing or credentials are specific to the work they are going to be doing. A business license is not enough to qualify as a proper contractor. There are also sites available that can allow you to verify the license to ensure that it is valid.

3. Do They Have References?

Their experience or time in business is not enough to really know if they are reliable, quality contractors. It is important to ask for references. Any decent contractor will have a list of references available for homeowners to review or even call to find out information about the quality of their work. Homeowners can also look up the contractor’s business on the Better Business Bureau’s website. This site provides a rating based on their business practices. It may also have complaints or issues other customers may have had in the past. Often, these issues will have a reply by the contractor. This can allow homeowners to see how they handled the complaints. These references can be very important in getting an idea of how the contractor will do the job.

4. Are They Insured?

It is important that the contractor carries insurance before beginning work on the job. This can protect the homeowner from various risks and costs associated with the work being done. The first type of insurance the contractor should have is liability insurance. If the contractor or the employees cause damage to the property, the liability insurance will cover that. However, if they are not insured for this damage, the homeowner would be on the hook for those costs. In addition, those who have insurance are often more careful in their work to prevent their insurance rates from rising.

The contractor should also have insurance for their workers, as well. Workers compensation is important to cover injuries an employee may have while performing the job. This covers their medical costs and lost wages. If the contractor does not provide this and an injury occurs, the homeowner could be held responsible for these costs. It is also important to actually see the insurance certificates and not just take the contractor’s word for it. Unfortunately, there are some contractors that are willing to lie to get the job. It is better to be safe than sorry.

5. What are the Charges and When is Payment Due?

It is strongly advised to never pay the full price of work upfront. Although most contractors will need some money to begin work to purchase materials, any reputable contractor will not require complete payment before the work is done. There have been far too many cases of homeowners paying the entire amount of the job before work begins and then never seeing the work finished, or in some cases, even started. It is important to work with the contractor to determine a payment schedule with the time-line of the work. As materials are needed, payments can be made. However, the final payment should only be made when the work is completed.

6. How are Disagreements Handled?

Homeowners should always ask how past disputes were handled. A contractor who has been in business for years will have had disputes. A reputable contractor should be willing to talk about those past issues. Homeowners should not take past issues as a red flag because those issues will happen. It is important to understand if the contractor addressed them. Mistakes and disagreements will likely happen, even with the best contractor. It is important to work out a plan ahead of time with the contractor to determine a method for resolving those issues.

This is not an all-inclusive list of the questions a homeowner should ask, but it is a list of the most important questions. Homeowners should also inquire about the time-line of completion and what the average workday will look like. It can be very uncomfortable having workers at the house all day every day for a year. It can also be disturbing to have them coming and going throughout the day without knowing an exact schedule. Homeowners should also find out if there are warranties for the work and what exactly they cover. This can really help in case of a problem. It also never hurts to explore their online reviews. But always remember, the average person is more likely to post a review when they have a complaint than when they have a compliment. By exploring several contractors in the area and comparing their answers, homeowners should have an easier time finding the contractor that works for them.