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8 Things You Must Know Before You Hire a Contractor
Mon 28 Jul 2008 - 10:49
8 Things You Must Know Before You Hire a Contractor
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Craig_Augenstein]Craig Augenstein
Finding a contractor to work on your home is a case of 'buyer beware' for homeowners. Just ask Jonas and Sally Mullen who were featured in a November 11th story in The State about a shifty contractor leaving them with an unfinished roof and $14,000 out of pocket in expenses despite a personal referral from a neighbor.
Stories abound of contractors who fail to show up, don't complete the work or deliver less than satisfactory services leaving homeowners with few options other than living in limbo or hiring a new contractor to fix, or complete the job. Laws aren't made tough enough to do much damage to contractors and homeowners pay the price.
However, with the right information you CAN protect yourself from the financial risk or liability of a negligent or fraudulent contractor. Whether you need help in an emergency, require a small fix or are planning a complicated addition or renovation, you need to know who you're hiring and whether they'll deliver the service you deserve.
The following are eight questions you need to answer BEFORE hiring a contractor. Once you do you'll benefit from timely completion of jobs, quality service and workmanship and the confidence in a contractor as important to your home maintenance as to your peace of mind.
1. How Reputable are They?
The first question you have to ask indicates the source from which you learned about a particular contractor. Were they referred by a friend, an acquaintance, or did you look them up in the local Yellow Pages?
If you don't have a personal referral (and even if you do), what is their reputation in the industry? Do they have high standards? Are they qualified to join local organizations that represent the industry? How long have they been in business and how well are they respected for their work?
Looking past the sales pitch it's your responsibility to find out more about the people you hire to be in your home, around your family and making changes to a property you've worked long and hard to pay for.
2. Do They Have the Necessary Experience?
Many contractors will be happy to offer their services to you, even at a reduced price, but that is not a good indication of whether or not they have the experience to complete your project satisfactorily.
Asking for examples of work and referrals from clients can help you to determine whether or not the contractor has the experience needed to handle your project. Recent examples where you can personally verify the quality of workmanship are especially important when planning for extensive remodeling or building work to be entrusted to the contractor.
3. Are They Insured?
Insurance needs vary and depending on where you live and the legal requirements in your area contractors may legitimately work without adequate insurance putting you, the homeowner, at risk for liability if an accident occurs on your property.
What insurance does the contractor carry? Is it enough to protect you from financial risk? Getting the answers means doing your own research and finding out what's needed as well as getting proof from the contractor that they have what they claim.
4. Are They Licensed?
Verifying licensing is another area that requires due diligence on the part of the homeowner. Researching what licensing is required as well as getting proof from the contractor that they have their licenses is an important step in securing the right person for the job.
While some contractors may work without a license it is up to the homeowner to satisfy the requirements of local inspectors. Hiring a licensed contractor will provide you with the confidence that the job is being done properly since they risk losing their license if they don't.
5. Will They Finish the Job?
An 'in demand' contractor may be good, but will tempting offers of more business take them away from jobs they start in your home? All too often this leaves homeowners out of pocket for deposits and waiting by the phone for a return call from their M.I.A. contractor.
A contractor who collects more deposit than is reasonable is also at risk for a disappearing act and, intentionally or not, may not deliver the service you expect for the money paid. Once homeowners demand to see proof of work for the money spent, the contractor may become impossible to get in touch with or simply disappear in search of a fresh customer with a nice big deposit.
6. Do They Guarantee Their Work?
Nothing can give you peace of mind like a guarantee. When a contractor delivers quality service and workmanship they pride themselves on offering a guarantee to clients.
Does your contractor guarantee their work? Will they put it in writing? What kind of guarantee are they providing and is it enough to assure you of their promises of quality workmanship and timely completion?
7. Can You Get A Hold of Them in An Emergency?
Ever had a heater shut down in the middle of the night when temperatures are dropping? Or had your plumbing burst and the neighbors complaining of a leak in their ceiling? Will your contractor respond quickly to emergency calls or even return your call for regular service in a timely and professional manner?
Knowing what to do and who to call when your home needs immediate assistance is important. So is getting a quick response when you're looking for quotes or have questions about a project you're planning. Finding a contractor who will value you enough to return your call promptly can make all the difference when you are dealing with these time pressing issues.
8. Have You Checked Their References?
When time is of utmost importance, especially in the middle of a project when you need someone reliable right away, will you take the time to follow up on references? Questions like: Did the contractor show up on time? Was the final price close to the quote? Was the job completed in a timely manner? Did they meet standards for workmanship and was the contractor or those working with him courteous and respectful in your home and easy to deal with?
Too often homeowners pass over this step because a good salesman or time restraints pressure them into committing to a contract before checking the references. Unfortunately it is often too late when homeowners discover that other clients have had the same bad service they are experiencing, so checking the references is always a 'to do' before hiring anyone to work on your home.
Will you make sure your contractor meets these criteria? Before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit check are you going to do your homework to protect yourself and your home from a bad contractor? As a word of caution; always take the time to read and understand the details about payment, specifications of the project and other terms of your contract before signing, but before you get that far answer these eight questions as the first step to getting the contractor you deserve.
If you don't, who will? Don't count on getting much help if you find yourself the victim of a contractor that doesn't deliver. As the Mullens discovered and is stated in The State's article referred to earlier, "state regulators have little power to stop unlicensed workers or help win refunds." That's why organizations like HOCOA (Home Owners Clubs of America) in South Carolina take the time to do the research for you while also providing you the added convenience of one-stop calling for all your contracting needs.
HOCOA checks that contractors invited to join their restricted list of referrals are bonded, have insurance, are dependable, licensed and have had a live interview. The 20% of contractors that make the cut have also provided references that have been checked by HOCOA and are required to call homeowners back, make their scheduled appointments and guarantee their work. HOCOA follows up on each project to ensure the homeowner is satisfied and that every contractor referral is keeping to the high standards enforced by HOCOA.
This service not only frees homeowners from the burden of time consuming phone calls and reference checking, but also ensures that the proper licensing, bonding and insurance requirements are met along with contractors providing a professional service. And these referrals can be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays all with one phone call.
If you live in the Columbia, SC area, let HOCOA help you get the right contractor the FIRST time! Find out more at http://www.hocoacolumbia.com or call 803-556-6200.
Craig Augenstein
HOCOA - Home Owners Clubs of America
4840 Forest Drive, PMB 202
Columbia, SC 29206
803-556-6200
[mailto:info@hocoacolumbia.com]info@hocoacolumbia.com http://www.HOCOAColumbia.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Augenstein http://EzineArticles.com/?8-Things-You-Must-Know-Before-You-Hire-a-Contractor&id=1345137
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