Hiring a contractor is not always an easy task. There are so many different contractors you can choose from, and they all swear that they’re the best for the job. You’ll get all sorts of different quotes and opinions, and some might be wildly contradicting. You also have the downright fraudulent contractors who could not only jeopardize your property and the security of the people in it, but run with your money. This is why it’s important that you take your time before you hire any contractor and make sure that they’re the right person for the job. Here are some of the things you should know before you hire a contractor.
Licensing and Certification
The first thing you have to make sure is that they have the proper licensing and certification before they get started. You also have to make sure that they’re bonded and insured. This will make sure that you’ll have a recourse if a job is not done on time, if ever.
Certification will also depend on the nature of the job and the building. For instance, if your building was built before 1978, you have to work with a contractor who’s got their EPA certification. If you don’t, the EPA could crack down on the project and you might have to start looking for another contractor for the job and lose money in the process. So, it’s important that you know the rules and regulations in your state for general contractors and make sure that they have the formation and paperwork needed to work legally on any job.
Take Advantage of the Market
While the competition in the contracting field might be a curse in some cases, it’s also a gift. More contractors means more options, which eventually benefits you. This means that you should inquire with as many contractors as you can and get multiple quotes. You also want to be wary of contactors who give you unrealistic quotes. The more quotes you have, the better final price you’ll be able to get.
Always Run a Background Check
It doesn’t matter how nice the contractor is and how much they love your dog, never trust a contractor at face value and conduct a thorough background check on any contractor you were thinking of working with.
You want to verify any documentation they give you and follow up with their insurance company to make sure that their policy is current. Verify the contractor’s address, too – you could even run the contractor’s name through a public records database and see if there have been any cases against them. You also want to get an actual look at their previous work, and ask the people they’ve worked with what they thought of the job.
These are all important things that you should know before working with a contractor. Choosing the wrong contractor could expose you to serious legal consequences, and leave you with a poor or uncompleted job, so don’t rush the hiring process.