Tips For Hiring A Contractor Safely

It can be difficult for many people to determine which local contractor is bound to do the best job. Billy Gafford manages Handyman Connection, a company dedicated to bringing Birmingham-area homeowners the best in handyman and home repair services. It is his job to only send the best and brightest contractors to the work. Here, Gafford explains a few tips that he has learned through years of experience.

Hiring a contractor that you have never met can be scary. You wont allow just anyone to start tearing apart your home for renovations. According to Tom, one of my good contractor buddies, only two kinds of contractors are in this world good and bad.

It is true that some contractors are just no good. A local woman had hired a contractor for some remodeling work. She had not received any sort of referral for this contractor, but had met him while shopping at the Home Depot. After a little light conversation, she decided to hire the contractor to work on her home. Not surprisingly, the new construction a deck was not built to code. When the local inspector came by, he affirmed as much. Instead of amending the work (for which he had already been paid), the contractor argued with her that the inspector was being too strict and that the job was done correctly. He refused to fix the work, despite her pleas and arguments. They argued back and forth like this for several weeks. Finally, the contractor simply refused to call the woman back and the job remained unfinished.

Unfortunately, horror stories like this one are all too common in the contracting and home repair business. All kinds of disreputable people do this work and scam, and rip-off artists are abound. Therefore, Ive decided to outline a few tips to keep you safe when hiring an unknown contractor.

Choosing reliable licensed and insured contractors.
Your contractor needs to be a master of his craft. Dont be swayed by a contractors years in business if the training and licenses arent there. Not only should you ask to see a potential contractors license, you should also make sure he is insured for workers compensation, property damage and personal liability.

Asking for references and then checking them.
Usually, good contractors have a large roster of jobs theyve completed and are proud of. Good references are the cornerstone of any reputable contractor business. If some contractors are reluctant to give out their former clients phone numbers, you should be equally reluctant to hire them.

Always signing a written contract for your project.
A written contract can make all the difference in settling a dispute and making sure the work is done per agreement. Your contract should detail exactly what tasks are included for what prices, as well as any information regarding a payment plan. Never leave blank space on a written contract. And if youre hiring a contractor for a large, complex or costly project, it is always a good idea to have your contract reviewed by a qualified attorney.

Getting guarantees in writing.
Just like a contract, a guarantee should also be written and signed. Too often contractors ensure that work will last a certain number of years, and are not around to make repairs when it does not. A written guarantee can make all the difference.

Paying nothing until the work is completed.
This may seem basic, but I cant tell you how many people break this simple rule and get burned. Pay only when the job is done.

Always paying with a check.
Try to avoid paying cash on the spot. While it is normal to pay a percentage of cost down for materials, you should only pay this once materials have been delivered.

Getting more than one estimate for any job.
You would be amazed at the variance in price that two contractors will quote for the same exact job. Besides being a good way to gauge what the work should actually cost, getting several estimates gives you leverage with your preferred contractor. Dont worry about scaring off a contractor you like by mentioning that someone else quoted you a better price. Contractors are accustomed to this; its just part of the business.

Checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Thanks to an easy-to-use web site, accessing information on a particular contractor is easier than ever before. The BBB is an incredible asset to consumers in this country. Theyll have the scoop on who these people are and whether or not past customers have found fault with them. Its worth your time to check with the BBB to learn more about local contractors reputations before choosing one to service your home, which can save you a tremendous headache in the long run.

Keep in mind of what Tom says: there are bad contractors. But if you follow the above tips, youll remain safe when hiring someone for your home repair services.

Billy Gafford is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a handyman or more handyman articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.

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