Hiring A Contractor Doesn’t Have To Be A Nightmare
You don’t need to look very far to find a horror story about some business that took advantage of a customer, or didn’t deliver as they had promised. It is understandable that consumers are a little leery when it comes to hiring someone for a project. It shouldn’t be that way though! There are so many good, reputable contracting businesses out there, but consumers need to be sure they are asking the right questions. Here are just a few areas we suggest paying close attention to when looking for someone to work in your home.
Reputation and Stability
How many years have they been in business, and can they supply you with numerous local references?
Are they bonded and insured, and do they have Workers Comp Insurance on their employees?
Are they an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau?
Are they an active member of any local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce?
Experience and Service
Do they give you a well-written estimate for the work that will be done, and provide approximate start and completion dates for your project?
Do they offer a written warranty, and provide painting touch-ups or service calls for the life of the warranty?
Do their crews have written daily clean up processes and procedures, along with a strict employee smoking policy, prohibiting smoking anywhere on the customer’s property?
Follow Up and Follow Through
Is your point of contact easy to get in touch with and do they return your calls or emails promptly?
Do they provide a walk through with the crew lead upon completion of the job?
Do they provide a comprehensive customer satisfaction survey upon completion of the job?
These are just some suggestions of things to ask and to pay attention to the next time you are looking to hire a contractor to work for you. Our hope is that this helps keep you from being a part of the next home improvement horror story!