Hiring a contractor can be a daunting task, leaving you feeling uneasy while hoping for the best. From liability issues to wasted money and poor workmanship, there are many things that can go wrong when trusting a contractor to work on your home. Below are some things to consider when looking to hire a credible, trusted professional.
Licensed and Insured
If you are speaking with a contractor that is not licensed and insured, hang up the phone right away and continue your search elsewhere. Working with an unlicensed or uninsured contractor can open you up to a number of liabilities. A properly licensed contractor should meet all state mandated qualifications set by the state you are in. This is especially important if you are looking to sell your home in the near future. Work done by unlicensed contractors is not often honored in real estate transactions. General liability and workers comp insurance are also extremely important. These forms of insurance protect the homeowner from accepting responsibility for an injury on the property.
Credibility
Experience is key when it comes to hiring a contractor because you want to make sure you are receiving quality workmanship. Make sure to ask potential hires how long they have been in business, how many projects they take on at a time, and if they can provide references. References and a positive reputation online help to indicate that a contractor has done significant work and customers are happy with their service.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround time can also be a good indicator of the type of contractor you are hiring. If the turnaround time is short, it could indicate that the company is sacrificing quality for speed. In turn, a turnaround time length that is much longer than other contractor estimates could indicate other issues. However, it is important to keep outside factors in mind, like busy seasons and severe weather events.
Pricing and Materials
Pricing is important but difficult to navigate. When looking for a contractor, you don’t want the highest or lowest price. While contractors should offer competitive pricing, an outrageously high price may indicate that you are being overcharged and a low price could indicate low quality workmanship. Be aware that the quality of shingles and other materials can factor into pricing as well. Checking with material suppliers on a company’s reputation is also a good way to gage whether they’re good to work with.
Finding the right contractor can be a real challenge. No two contractors are the same and no two projects are the same. Using these tips will help you navigate the unknowns and find a company you can trust to get the job done right. Looking for an estimate on a project now? Give us a call today.