More Tips On Hiring
A Remodeling
Contractor
So you've decided
that it's time to
renovate, and you
need to find a
remodeling
contractor to do
the job. This can be
tough, as there are
many shady
contractors out
there and if you
aren't careful, you
could end up paying
through the nose for
a botched job.
If you have never
hired a contractor
before, talk to
friends and
neighbors. They may
have someone that
they have dealt with
in the past who
would be a good fit
for your job.
Failing that, talk
to homeowner
associations, or
look at local real
estate forums on the
internet. Stay away
from people who come
to you, as this is a
warning sign of a
sketchy contractor.
Once you have a few
people in mind, you
need to select one
that has a solid
reputation.
Hard working,
punctual, and
skilled are some of
the qualities to
look for in a
carpenter. How do
you know if the
carpenter you want
has these qualities?
Talk to past
clients. Ask if the
job was done on
time, if it was done
to expectations, and
if they would hire
this person again.
Make sure that you
talk to several
people who had work
done that is similar
to your project. Is
it also a good idea
to ask if you can
see the work
yourself.
Common practice is
to get three
references from a
contractor before
hiring them, but
more is better. A
reputable contractor
will be happy to
provide you with
names of past
clients. To be safe,
check with the
Better Business
Bureau as well, to
see if there have
been any complaints
made about him or
his workers.
Make sure that the
contractor is
insured, and that
his license is valid
and up to date.
You'll also want
workers on the job
to be insured and
licensed. Otherwise,
you'll be held
liable if any
accidents occur on
your property.
Once you have hired
someone, get
everything in
writing! You want
expectations about
time, costs, and
design
specifications all
written down in
order to prevent
misunderstandings.
You also want to
have everything on
paper in case
something goes wrong
and you need to go
to court. Verbal
agreements about the
job don't hold much
weight in court, so
be smart by writing
everything down.
Have the payment
schedule included in
the contract as
well. Experts
suggest that it is
much safer for the
home owner to pay as
the work progresses
rather than on a
time line. For
instance, if you are
renovating your
entire home, pay a
certain amount after
each room is
completed. Delaying
payment like this
prevents the
contractor from
abandoning the job.
Because contractors
are operating on
your most important
financial asset, it
is critical to get
someone that is
competent and
dependable. Check
references
thoroughly, and look
at all paperwork
with a critical eye.
By taking these
precautions, you'll
ensure that your
home is in good
hands.
Sanjog Gopal is a
Phoenix AZ REALTORŪ
whose extensive
expertise and local
knowledge of the
Phoenix real estate
market can't be
beat. If you're
thinking about
buying or selling
property in Phoenix,
visit Sanjog at
http://www.azresidence.com
for more
information.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjog_Gopal
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