Spring will soon be here and with it, many people embark on home fix ups or remodeling. Here are 12 tips from Realtor magazine which are worth considering when you are thinking about hiring someone to do work on your home.
- Get at least three written estimates.
- Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.
- Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
- Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
- Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.
- Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
- Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it is not. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.
- Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.
- Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.
- Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.
- Guarantee that the materials that will be used meet your specifications.
- Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.
I keep a list of contractors that my clients have been happy with in the past and am happy to supply you with those names. You should do your own due diligence regarding these contractors as I generally have no personal experience with them. If I do hear of a client who has had a poor experience with someone I recommended I immediately remove them from my list of names and will not recommend them again.
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