Don’t Get Fooled by a Bad Contractor

So you finally decided to remodel you kitchen or bathroom. When it comes to finding a contractor, no two projects are the same, because no two people are the same. Trust is a major factor when it comes to finding the right contractor, it is important to find someone you are comfortable with. Never be afraid to ask as many questions as you might need to. What else do you need to know before you hire a contractor? Here are 1o things you should look for in a contractor.

1. License and Bonded

Having a contractor with the right credentials can be the difference between a happy experience and a nightmare. Making sure a company meets the basic requirements to do business in your area is an essential step in the decision process. Before choosing a contractor, ask for documentation proving they are licensed and bonded. Make sure it is all current and complete.

Licensed-Contractors have been granted a license as mandated by local laws. Any contractor you hire should be licensed, bonded and insured. When interviewing a prospective company, ask to see their proof of all three. Then, verify each yourself. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Bonded-Contractor has an arrangement with a private bond issuer. People may petition for reimbursement through that bond issuer if contractor harms them financially because of shoddy work or failure to pay subcontractors as promised.

2. General Liability and Workers Comp Insurance

Insurance is a major factor when it comes to choosing a contractor. Your contractor’s insurance policy protects you as the homeowner from incurring responsibility for an injury sustained on your property. For example, if a contractor fell and hurt themselves while working on your property and didn’t not have insurance, you would be liable and they could sue you for the injury.

Liability-Covers property damage and injuries caused by the contractor’s work. It will not normally pay the cost of repairing or replacing bad work; that’s the purpose of the bond

Workers’ Compensation-Provides payments to injured workers, without regard to who was at fault in the accident, for lost wages and medical services. It also provides benefits to the contractor’s family in the event of death.

3. Experience

Experience is important when it comes to choosing a contractor because you want to make sure that they are able to provide you with quality workmanship. You can ask your contractor questions like how long they have been in business, how many projects they do in a month, and if they have any references for their work? You can also check their Yelp, Google or Yahoo reviews.

4. References and a Positive Reputation

References and a positive reputation is a good indication that the company has done significant work and that their customers are happy with their services. Beware of a “too perfect” looking reputation though. A 100% satisfaction rate could be a red flag indicating that the reviews posted are not from actual customers. Another good way to check references is to look at google reviews or yelp reviews.

5. Steady and Trained Staff and Crew

Never be afraid to ask how long a company has been in business or how long an individual has worked for the company. Lengthy tenure can show that the company has a good reputation not only with customers, but within the company as well. Training is also important, you can ask questions like what licenses or special training’s the company or individual has received.

6. Turnaround Time

Once you speak with a company, turnaround time is also a good indicator of what kind of company you are speaking with. If the turnaround time is too short it may indicate that the company is sacrificing quality for speed. If the estimated length of completion is wildly different from other contractors there could be an issue. During busy seasons, turnaround time could be longer then slower seasons.

7. Pricing

Pricing is important to look for, and not for the reason you might be thinking. When searching for a contractor, you do not want a contractor that has the highest or the lowest pricing. Contractors should be competitive with pricing, but if the pricing seems too good to be true, it usually is. You also want to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples” when it comes to prices. Different designs and styles of things can raise or lower the cost.

8. Material Suppliers

A good way to check in with a contractor would be to check with the material suppliers. If the company has a good reputation with the people they work most closely with and often, than it is a good indication that it will be a good company to work with.

9. Communication

From the beginning of contacting your contractor, you want to make sure that they are providing good communication. Did the office get back to you in a timely manner? Did they answer all your questions? Did they confirm the appointment? If the answer is ”no” to several of these questions, it may be a good indicator that the company will not be able to have open communication with you during the process of your job.

10. Contract

Your contract will show a lot about a your company. It will include most of the following items listed above, answer questions about materials used, timelines, and a detailed contract can show you the experience of a company. If you have a vague or hard to understand contract, it might indicate that there are hidden fees or procedures.