Thinking about making some home improvements? Sometimes this can be a super exciting time or a super aggrevating one. It all comes down to hiring a good contractor, but how do you go about doing that?
RECOMMENDATIONS. This could be a blessing or a curse. Trust me when I tell you I have heard countless stories about people who tell me they hired their neigbhor's husband, uncle, friend, son (you get where I'm going with this) and things don't go as hoped or planned. Recommendations are helpful but your homework should NOT stop there.
LICENSED CONTRACTOR VERSUS REGISTERED CONTRACTOR.
Depending on where you live will determine whether your contractor is licensed or registered, and there is a difference.
A licensed contractor usually must:
-prove they have the skills to do the work, oversite ususally by a State Board
-must have continuing education to keep up with the latest skills
-contribute to a Guaranty Fund where consumers may be eligible for reimbursements through this fund should something go wrong during the construction process
A registered contractor usually must:
-only pay a fee to register with the state board of contractors
-show proof of insurance
and that's about it. In Rhode Island I could become a registered contractor. That's scarey, trust me.
Depending on the state you live in you should check on the State Government's website to determine what you should expect from your contractor. You can also check whether the contractor has any violations.
Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/consumer/home-improvement-contract/home-improvement-contractor-frequently-asked.html#A2
Rhode Island:
http://www.crb.state.ri.us/
Connecticut:
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1629&q=446966
ANY CONTRACTOR YOU HIRE MUST BE REGISTERED OR LICENSED AND SHOW YOU PROOF.
BE CAREFUL OF "REVIEW" SITES:
Again, based on MY experience these don't always guarantee you will get a great contractor. Here's the deal, these sites will tell you they check out the contractor, making sure he's licensed or registered, but that's not always the case. I have found contractors with expired registrations/licenses on the list of "recommended" contractors.
I have also found contractors that have had their registrations revoked still on the list. In one case I was reporting on a contractor who had an "A" rating on Angies List. He was hired by several homeowners because of his rave customer reviews. But homeowners called me after he walked off the jobs and stopped returning calls. We learned he had 10 documented complaints against him with the state's Contractor's Registration and Licensing Board. Angie's List said they were unaware.
BE AWARE OF LIENS:
In some states a homeowner can have liens put on their home if the contractor they hire doesn't pay his bills. In one case I reported on a couple whose contractor was paid thousands of dollars upfront to purchase lumber and other materials. The contractor ordered the lumber, never paid for it, never finished the job and the homeowners months later got a letter saying they had a lien against their home because of an unpaid lumber bill. Yes, you got it right, the couple had to pay the lumber company (again) to get the lien lifted.
Solution?
Don't pay your contractor directly for materials or other sub contractors. If you need lumber, cabinets, doors, paint etc..pay the retailer/lumber yard/sub contractor directly. If this sounds like a total inconvenience then at the very least DEMAND receipts from your contractor.
If you have any questions about your contractor's record or you need further information regarding how to choose a good contractor, just write a comment and I'll be happy to respond!
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