10 Things About Contractors

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10 Things You Should Know About Contractors

When you plan on using a contractor to complete various things inside of your home, you definitely want to look at and remember some different factors that will help keep you from getting “ripped off”. You may think that you are hiring someone who is certified to do the job you want them to do, but in reality you could be hiring a madman with a toolbox that says anything is “no problem” and when you return home you could find a wall missing or electrical wires running through your plumbing. Here is just a bit of advice before you give your home to a stranger.

10 Things About Contractors

10 Things About Contractors

1. In about 27 states contractors are required to have a state license to perform any type of work on your home, and in the 23 states that do not require licensing, their laws and regulations vary. Before you hire a contractor, be sure to do some research to make sure you are protected.

2. Pick a business that has been in business for a long time; if a business is “bad” they will often change their name and say they are under new management to try and draw people back into the business.

3. When you find your contractor, make sure you check their references. There are several good online sources available to receive different opinions on different companies, but take these reviews with a grain of salt, as some reviews are written by the company themselves.

4. When it comes time to sign on the dotted line, be careful and make sure you read over the contract thoroughly as some contractors will put your payment schedule ahead of their schedule, so you are essentially paying them for work yet completed.

5. If you have a big project, consider hiring an attorney as well to draw up a fair payment plan for both parties.

6. You do not want to pay up front for materials as the contractor can easily take that money and do other things with it. What that means is that the contractor has no line of credit, and could not get the items otherwise. Offer to have the materials delivered to your house instead and pay when they arrive.

7. If you are bringing in multiple contractors to bid, be wary of the incredible low price that someone may offer. Just because it may be low in the beginning, does not mean they will tack on various other costs with the project.

8. When you have your contractor, make sure they have a supervisor who is on the job site every day when the workers are supposed to be there. This persons pay is higher, so it is always in his best interest to finish in a timely manner.

9. Once you have a plan for your home project in mind, do not change it; making small changes can quickly become more costly than your original project.

10. Lastly, make sure you go over the list of materials that are being purchased to double-check that the company is not cutting any corners and buying cheap.

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Tags: hiring contractors, home improvement