Selecting
a Contractor For most of us our home is
the most important asset that we have. so we need to be careful about
who we select to make repairs and additions to it. Listed below are links
to some trade and government agencies that have good advice on how to
select a contractor and
how to ensure that your project meets your expectations.
The basics are pretty straight forward:
Define in writing your project in
as much detail as possible so that you will be able to let the
prospective contractors know what you want and the things that are most
important to you. Make sure that all of the prospective contractors
receive the same instructions so that their bids can be compared on an
apples to apples basis.
Select prospective contractors
from trusted sources: friends and coworkers, telephone directory, local
building and remodeling associations, and ads in local newspapers and
magazines. Do not waste your time with door to door salesmen. Legitimate
contractors do not use this practice.
You should be suspicious of any
contractor who pressures you for a decision, offers large discounts for
a quick decision, offers a discount because they have materials left
over from another job, offers a large discount for full or nearly full
payment as a deposit, or want you to obtain the building permit.
Always get at least three bids
for a project. The lowest bid is not necessarily the best choice. Try to
get an understanding from the contractors of why their bid is
significantly lower or higher than the others. The reasons may change
your selection decision.
Get recent references from the
contractors you are considering. It is very important to see some
of the contractors work if possible. There is a lot of subjectivity in
quality standards. What is acceptable, even great work for one customer,
may be considered shoddy by another, particularly in the finishing
details. If it is not possible to go to projects, then take the time to
talk to references by phone - ask questions about schedule performance,
communications, and of course about the quality of the work.
Make sure that the contractor has
the appropriate business and builder licenses as required by the local
and state governments. Also the contractor should provide a certificate
of insurance showing proof of general liability and workers compensation
insurance.
All project specifications, work
schedule and payment terms should be written in the contract. For all but the
simplest projects, a drawing(s) should be a part of the contract
as well.
The contractor should provide a
written warranty with specific definitions of what is covered, the
warranty period, and how the warranty claims are to be handled.
This is just a brief guide to the contractor
selection process. For a more complete discussion of this topic and other
issues related to home improvement check out these links: