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Choosing a Contractor
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Choosing A Remodeling Contractor
Are you planning a new addition,
replacing a roof, finishing your
basement, or remodeling a kitchen or
bathroom? Such home improvements require
a major investment.
Avoid costly mistakes by taking time to
carefully plan the project. You may want
to consult with a Design/Build company
such as Tri-State Remodeling. We can
provide complete services, which
evaluate the parameters of your project,
define a budget and create a plan built
within your specifications.
Next, select a licensed and professional
contractor. If you're new to the
Delaware, you may want to contact the
National Association of Remodeling
Industry or the Better Business Bureau.
Before hiring a professional contractor,
verify the following:
- The contractor has a current
license. If in doubt, check with
Regional Building Department or
State Licensing.
- The contractor has proof of
liability insurance and
workman's compensation.
- References. Don’t hesitate
to call past clients to see if
the contracted work was
satisfactorily executed and
performed on schedule.
- Obtain and verify the
contractor's phone number and
place of business.
INVEST WISELY
Local and state laws require
contractors to be licensed and insured.
If a contractor asks you to obtain
the building permit, most likely he or
she is unlicensed. Hiring an unlicensed
contractor puts you, the property owner,
at great financial risk. In the event of
substandard workmanship or unfinished
work, you may have limited legal
recourse if you knowingly hired an
unlicensed contractor.
Because an unlicensed contractor is
rarely insured, he or she can afford to
submit a lower bid than a licensed
contractor. The cost savings may be
tempting, however, you have no assurance
that the workmanship will meet code
standard. In addition, you will be
financially responsible for any
workman's injury or accidental death.
Once you have chosen a professional
contractor, negotiate a clear contract
of what work is to be performed and a
time frame. A contract helps to avoid
disputes and informs both parties of
expectations. Professional contractors
usually provide time to review the
contract without pressure, and allow
three days to cancel it. Payments are
generally arranged with a percentage of
the projected cost paid in advance, but
never the full amount.
DISTRESS SIGNALS
- The contractor is not
licensed.
- The contractor has no
liability insurance or workman's
compensation.
- The contractor does not
obtain a building permit for the
job, or asks you to request the
permit from a Delaware building
department.
- The contractor wants you to
pay for the job in advance or
requests cash instead of a check
or money order payable to the
company.
- The contractor pressures you
to sign a contract and offers a
special price, good only that
day. Remember: If it sounds too
good to be true, it probably is.
- A contractor whose business
is located in a pickup truck and
whose phone is a cellular or
pager will be tough to contact
should problems arise.
By selecting a professional
remodeling contractor that you are able
to communicate your expectations and
concerns with you should have a pleasant
experience throughout the process of
making your dreams a reality. |
