Tips for your Next Home Remodel/Repair
Whether your home improvement projects are large or small, hiring a reliable and competent contractor is vital to any successful project. Here are some tips to help you with this important decision.
Once you’ve made a list of potential contractors to use, it’s best to interview them. Here are some important questions to ask:
- Is the company licensed and registered?
- Will the company work on the project full time?
- Will the company hire subcontractors to assist with the job?
- What kinds of permits are required for the project?
- How long will the project take to complete? Does the company guarantee a finish date?
- Also, make sure that the contractor has proof of coverage for workers’ compensation and general liability.
After the interview process, obtain a written bid from at least three prospective contractors. The bid should include materials, labor rates and a time frame to complete the job.
Once you have several bids, it’s wise to check at least three of the references provided by the contractors. Ask the references if they were pleased with the work done.
Watch Out for Scams
Unfortunately, hiring a contractor to complete home improvement projects is not always simple. Construction projects can be stressful, and it’s common for individuals to rush when choosing a construction company just to get a job done faster.
As a result, homeowners can be an easy target for contractor fraud, which is when a company performs substandard repairs or offers services that deliberately cheat another party. To ensure that your home improvements are done to a high standard, look out for the following:
- Contractors that contact you looking for work
- Unsolicited, free home inspections that turn up problems you were previously unaware of
- Contractors that want you to commit to repairs immediately
- Contractors that request money in advance
- Contractors that do not get the right permits or want to sell extra materials to you for a cheap price
If you are the victim of contractor fraud, you can report it to your local police department or notify services like the Federal Trade Commission.
Looking to Do it Yourself?
If acting as your own contractor, it is important to know that your homeowners policy is not designed explicitly with high cost medical bills in mind. It may not cover the cost of a medical claim. Also, be sure to ask potential subcontractors if they carry their own insurance. By choosing subcontractors with their own insurance, you can reduce your potential liability and provide yourself with an additional safeguard. Finally, workers’ compensation insurance may be required to provide benefits to injured workers. If you find yourself in an area that does not require you to have workers’ compensation coverage, you may be able to rely on your homeowners policy to some extent.
Before beginning construction on your home, don’t hesitate to consult your insurance team.