In the market for a contractor needless to say, one of the best ways to start the search is to receive a trusted referral from a friend, relative or business associate. The next great place to turn is to solicit the help of suppliers that sell to contractors, industry member organizations, or even a trusted realtor. Those who work with contractors on a regular basis quickly learn who has a good reputation. A great question to ask is “Who would you hire to work on your own home?” Many of these businesses and organizations keep lists of tradesmen that they refer. Since it can be a reflection on them, many are very careful who they list and will remove a tradesman if they receive any negative reports. However be sure to ask how they approve contractors for their list. Is it a paid service by the contractor (a form of advertising) and anyone can be on the list if they are willing to pay or do contractors have to meet a set of strict standards to be approved? A great example is the ProMatch program at Stone Forest Materials. Only a select few contractors make the list. Contractors have to show current license and insurance each year, have to exhibit a good credit standing and provide quality work and service, verified with pictures and client feedback. Also be sure to check for consumer complaints against a contractor. The Better Business Bureau, the local Chamber of Commerce and/or the state licensing agency can provide in sight on the reputation of a contractor. Although no report does not mean a contractor is good nor bad. Check out Consumer Review sites such as Angie's List or Kudzu.com, which allows consumers rate and review companies.
Before You Hire a Contractor / Handyman
Request references and then check them out! This isn't as important with a direct, trusted referral but it is vital if you pick your contractor out through advertisements in newspapers, mail or the Internet. Remember… you are inviting this person into your home. References should include recent customers as well as customers with work done similar to your project.
Verify Liability Insurance. Contractor liability insurance is NOT optional!
Though the job size may be small, a little mistake can lead to a big disaster. Your contractor should have some sort of liability insurance coverage. Protect yourself by hiring people who have a current certificate of insurance. Otherwise make sure you have enough liability coverage in your homeowner's policy in case someone you hire, who is uninsured, damages yours or someone else’s property. It is not unreasonable to ask for some proof of insurance. It is very easy and with one call you can get a certificate of insurance issued in your name. The certificate will contain the contractor’s policy information and the insurance agency’s contact information. Take the time to verify that it is an active policy and keep for your records, even after the job is done. Do know that liability insurance is a significant expense for the handyman and will be reflected in his overhead and, therefore, your cost! Often when a contractor is struggling insurance is the first expense to be cut.
Getting Estimates
Talk to at least three different contractors and get estimates. Know what’s included in the price: What materials are being used and what work will be done, making sure it is all spelled out. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples, going over each line item. Contractor A might be quoting different materials than Contractor B or Contractor B maybe quoting a smaller scale of work to be done than contractor C. If an estimate is vague please to take the time to clarify, ask questions and get specifics in writing. "Make sure the contract specifies everything you've agreed upon with the contractor" recommends Jody Costello, a consumer advocate from Contractorsfromhell.com. If there are specific details you would like, such as a specific material or grade of materials or the project should be a specific size or dimension please be sure to communicate them and that they are included in the contract. If you are on a deadline confirm when the contractor can start work. However keep in mind “The best ones are worth waiting for. The best contractors tend to be the busiest ones. Build your schedule around the GC (General Contractor) of your dreams, not vice versa.” claims the editors of This Old House. Also confirm if there is a payment schedule. Be weary of any contractor that requires large sums of payment upfront. If everything is explained and in writing this will minimize complications and expenses once work has begun.
Also clarify who will be doing the work. How much will this contractor oversee and be involved in the project? Who do you turn to for questions or concerns? Are you meeting with a sales guy and once the work begins you will be stuck with strangers at your home. Will there be communication barriers? Contractors are only as good as their last job. "General contractors often win jobs based on their good reputations," explains architect Dennis Wedlick, author of Good House Hunting: 20 Steps to Your Dream Home. "But circumstances can change. When the contractor switches subcontractors or laborers, quality can be affected." Verify if there have been any changes in labor or will some or all of the work be sub-contracted out? If so you need to verify the work of the sub-contractors. If quality is important take the extra time to visit actual jobsites. Quality is in the details and can be better appreciated in person. As all always trust your gut! Ask yourself if this is a person I can trust in my home, I can trust not to rip me off and that I can trust will do a job right.
Don’t let price be the sole determining factor in choosing a contractor. The NACA websites states “Remember that the lowest bid is not always the best; high quality and timely work are crucial to a successful rehab. It is more important to choose the contractor best qualified to perform the work than to choose the lowest bidder.” Rick Lopes, a spokesperson for the California Contractors State License Board (CCSLB), advises that you shouldn't necessarily go with the lowest estimate. "If two bids are the same and one is really low, ask yourself, 'Why is this person offering to do this for a lot less money?'" he says. "That low-ball bid may just be a way to get you to commit to them, and they're going to come back later and say things like, 'Oh, I didn't realize you needed this done,' or they may be providing you with inferior products." Working with a contractor is forming a relationship that requires communication and trust. If you like one contractor better than another but they were more expensive let them know. Be up front and honest. Don’t be afraid to share your quotes, discrepancies might be found or a contractor might negotiate their rates if they are excited about the job.
When you find a good contractor, keep him. A contractor can become a good resource for you, especially if you use him regularly. He will come to know your house and can help identify issues before they become costly problems.
Reference Websites This guide was prepared using experts from:
Angie’s List, How to hire a handyman service
http://www.angieslisttips.com/Tips/December-2008/How-to-hire-a-handyman.aspx
Clark Howard, Home Improvements
http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/category/4/426/100/
NACA, Contractor selection
https://www.naca.com/program/contractorSelection.jsp?language=null
The Natural Handyman, Hire a Handyman and Never Have to Say You're Sorry…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infcontractor/hirehandyman.html
US News and World Report, How to find the right contractor for the job http://homes.yahoo.com/news/how-to-find-the-right-contractor-for-the-job.html This Old House, Getting the most out of a kitchen remodel http://homes.yahoo.com/news/getting-the-most-out-of-a-kitchen-remodel.html John Morell, Avoid these 5 home improvement scams http://homes.yahoo.com/blogs/spaces/avoid-5-home-improvement-scams-174757840.html
Before You Hire a Contractor / Handyman
Request references and then check them out! This isn't as important with a direct, trusted referral but it is vital if you pick your contractor out through advertisements in newspapers, mail or the Internet. Remember… you are inviting this person into your home. References should include recent customers as well as customers with work done similar to your project.
Verify Liability Insurance. Contractor liability insurance is NOT optional!
Though the job size may be small, a little mistake can lead to a big disaster. Your contractor should have some sort of liability insurance coverage. Protect yourself by hiring people who have a current certificate of insurance. Otherwise make sure you have enough liability coverage in your homeowner's policy in case someone you hire, who is uninsured, damages yours or someone else’s property. It is not unreasonable to ask for some proof of insurance. It is very easy and with one call you can get a certificate of insurance issued in your name. The certificate will contain the contractor’s policy information and the insurance agency’s contact information. Take the time to verify that it is an active policy and keep for your records, even after the job is done. Do know that liability insurance is a significant expense for the handyman and will be reflected in his overhead and, therefore, your cost! Often when a contractor is struggling insurance is the first expense to be cut.
Getting Estimates
Talk to at least three different contractors and get estimates. Know what’s included in the price: What materials are being used and what work will be done, making sure it is all spelled out. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples, going over each line item. Contractor A might be quoting different materials than Contractor B or Contractor B maybe quoting a smaller scale of work to be done than contractor C. If an estimate is vague please to take the time to clarify, ask questions and get specifics in writing. "Make sure the contract specifies everything you've agreed upon with the contractor" recommends Jody Costello, a consumer advocate from Contractorsfromhell.com. If there are specific details you would like, such as a specific material or grade of materials or the project should be a specific size or dimension please be sure to communicate them and that they are included in the contract. If you are on a deadline confirm when the contractor can start work. However keep in mind “The best ones are worth waiting for. The best contractors tend to be the busiest ones. Build your schedule around the GC (General Contractor) of your dreams, not vice versa.” claims the editors of This Old House. Also confirm if there is a payment schedule. Be weary of any contractor that requires large sums of payment upfront. If everything is explained and in writing this will minimize complications and expenses once work has begun.
Also clarify who will be doing the work. How much will this contractor oversee and be involved in the project? Who do you turn to for questions or concerns? Are you meeting with a sales guy and once the work begins you will be stuck with strangers at your home. Will there be communication barriers? Contractors are only as good as their last job. "General contractors often win jobs based on their good reputations," explains architect Dennis Wedlick, author of Good House Hunting: 20 Steps to Your Dream Home. "But circumstances can change. When the contractor switches subcontractors or laborers, quality can be affected." Verify if there have been any changes in labor or will some or all of the work be sub-contracted out? If so you need to verify the work of the sub-contractors. If quality is important take the extra time to visit actual jobsites. Quality is in the details and can be better appreciated in person. As all always trust your gut! Ask yourself if this is a person I can trust in my home, I can trust not to rip me off and that I can trust will do a job right.
Don’t let price be the sole determining factor in choosing a contractor. The NACA websites states “Remember that the lowest bid is not always the best; high quality and timely work are crucial to a successful rehab. It is more important to choose the contractor best qualified to perform the work than to choose the lowest bidder.” Rick Lopes, a spokesperson for the California Contractors State License Board (CCSLB), advises that you shouldn't necessarily go with the lowest estimate. "If two bids are the same and one is really low, ask yourself, 'Why is this person offering to do this for a lot less money?'" he says. "That low-ball bid may just be a way to get you to commit to them, and they're going to come back later and say things like, 'Oh, I didn't realize you needed this done,' or they may be providing you with inferior products." Working with a contractor is forming a relationship that requires communication and trust. If you like one contractor better than another but they were more expensive let them know. Be up front and honest. Don’t be afraid to share your quotes, discrepancies might be found or a contractor might negotiate their rates if they are excited about the job.
When you find a good contractor, keep him. A contractor can become a good resource for you, especially if you use him regularly. He will come to know your house and can help identify issues before they become costly problems.
Reference Websites This guide was prepared using experts from:
Angie’s List, How to hire a handyman service
http://www.angieslisttips.com/Tips/December-2008/How-to-hire-a-handyman.aspx
Clark Howard, Home Improvements
http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/category/4/426/100/
NACA, Contractor selection
https://www.naca.com/program/contractorSelection.jsp?language=null
The Natural Handyman, Hire a Handyman and Never Have to Say You're Sorry…
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infcontractor/hirehandyman.html
US News and World Report, How to find the right contractor for the job http://homes.yahoo.com/news/how-to-find-the-right-contractor-for-the-job.html This Old House, Getting the most out of a kitchen remodel http://homes.yahoo.com/news/getting-the-most-out-of-a-kitchen-remodel.html John Morell, Avoid these 5 home improvement scams http://homes.yahoo.com/blogs/spaces/avoid-5-home-improvement-scams-174757840.html
Kristen Rollins - (678) 524-4858
[email protected] |