 Recommendations When Searching For a Contractor and Eight Questions You Must Ask
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| Recommendation #1: Avoid high pressure salespeople. |
| You should never feel pressured into making a decision about choosing your contractor. If you ever feel that a contractor or salesperson is pressuring you, ask them to back off. If they persist, it's time to look for another contractor. |
| Recommendation #2: Ask questions. |
The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are the questions we suggest you ask:
- Are you licensed?
- Do you carry general liability insurance?
- Do you carry workman's compensation insurance?
- Will you provide me with written lien waivers?
- What community organizations do you belong to?
- Will you pull all of the required building permits?
- Will you provide me with written references?
- Do you guarantee your work?
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| Recommendation #3: Get several references from a contractor. |
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Usually previous customers from the last 6 months to a year. A reputable, well established contractor should welcome this request. Once you get the references, call all of them! Ask if the job was done on time and at the agreed upon price. Ask if the contractor was easy to reach and easy to deal with. This is the best way to determine the type of contractor you're dealing with.
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| Recommendation #4: Once you're satisfied that you're working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. |
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A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost -- no surprises!
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By following these four recommendations, you'll gain all the information you will need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want just "another construction job", many companies in the phone book can help you.
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