BEFORE YOU HIRE A CONTRACTOR READ THIS!

Contractor Wanted!your mind:-
All of us desire to lead a great life. In this pursuit1.    Is the contractor licensed in this city/state?
we tend to make alterations to our surroundingsIf yes then you should call up the local building
so that they adapt to our changing lifestyle. Whendepartment’s licensing office for the validation
we talk of making an improvement in a part ofof the license. As a part of consumer awareness
our home or the home itself as a whole, then wealso call up state’s consumer protection
think of hiring the services of professionals whoagency the better business bureau meant for
are specialists in their respective fields. In othergrievances who know more about securing license
words, we give a contract to a contractor whoin your state.
undertakes to carry out a specific task of2.    Check out three references from jobs
remodeling a segment or home improvement indone the previous year. That helps you track the
general. We pay a particular price that includes hiscontractor’s history, find how reliable he is
fee as well as the charges that are required forand his ability to stick to the budget and schedule.
completing the work.3.    Whether or not he is insured. He should be
Different types of contractors are available forinsured in order to save you from getting into
different purposes. It’s very important to getany kind of legal hassles as well as financial burden
the right contractor for the purpose we wish toshould he meet with an accident at your place.
hire him for. Research has to be done on ourAlways ask for a copy of his insurance. The
proposed project before we opt for hiring thecontractor should have general liability, workman's
services of a contractor. For instance, forcompensation, auto insurance, and property and
plumbing work you have to look out for apersonal liability.
contractor with plumbing experience. Inquire with4.    Check out the no. of years of experience
your friends for referrals, see online customerhe has got in this field. If he’s into this
review sites, ask at your local home hardwarebusiness for over five years then it’s an
store, check with a local licensing agency or tryindication of him being reliable.  
the yellow pages when looking for contractors.5.    Has the contractor got a portfolio to
Calling at least three potential contractors toshowcase his work? This would give you an idea
interview helps in making comparison. When askingof what sort of work he undertakes.
for quotations, give every contractor the same6.    Ask for a detailed estimate that's itemized
details so your comparison is consistent.and includes labor, materials, overhead and a
When it comes to interviewing the contractor,schedule. Compare it with the estimates given by
following are the questions you have to bear inother contractors.