How to Choose the Right Contractor

by Expert Contributor Tom Rafferty, Owner of Rafferty Painting & General Contracting

Finding a good contractor requires more than common sense; you should also be aware of the real risks that come with choosing poorly. Unfortunately, many people do more research when buying a car than they do when choosing a contractor.

Choosing the right contractor to build, remodel or paint your home can make the difference between a relatively stress-free project and many sleepless nights. Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure that your contractor is capable enough to get the job done.

There are many horror stories of homeowners who were conned into paying for renovations that either never happened or were completely botched due to gross negligence. Over the past few years, consumer complaints against home construction and renovation contractors have been on the rise. Even if a contractor seems sincere and is offering you a “great deal,” if you can't verify references or you are being asked to pay upfront without first taking care of the legal formalities, watch out!

Probably the most important question you need to ask any contractor is if they have Workers’ Compensation insurance. If they do not and one of their employees injures himself while working on your property, then you are liable and will be sued.

Here are some quick upfront questions to ask a contractor, to get a good sense of their credibility:

• Should a construction error or problem arise, how much liability coverage do you have? (Around $1 million is usually considered sufficient.)

• Can you provide several references and can we see the work you’ve done for them?

• How many people are on your crew and how long have they been with your company? (If there’s no employees, it’s likely to be subcontract work. You should research the reputation of those subcontractors, but remember the contractor could switch them out at any time.)

• Will there be a full-time foreman on the project?

• Is there someone in your office to promptly answer questions we may have?

• Do you have a state license? Local licenses?

• Do you belong to any professional organizations related to your business? (This will speak to their reputation, local credibility and the level of commitment they have in their business.)

Contractors have a busy season when they are turning away work. The best time for you to get the most economical prices is in the winter months. When getting estimates, remember to compare apples to apples. When an estimate price is too good to be true, it usually is. Most importantly remember this: Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

Expert Contributor Tom Rafferty, Owner of Rafferty Painting & General Contracting

PAINTING & GENERAL CONTRACTING

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