I was honored to be a guest on The Morgan White Jr. show tonight on WBZ Radio, AM 1030. Heard in 38 states with more than a million listeners each night, we spent an hour live on the air talking about the remodeling industry and what homeowners should expect when they hire a contractor. One of the things I mentioned was a list of things homeowners should do before they hire a contractor. Here’s the complete list in case you missed something:
5 “Must-Dos” BEFORE You Hire that Contractor
You’ve got a big project on the horizon – maybe a new bathroom, a kitchen remodel, or your roof needs to be redone. Time to call a contractor! But before you hire someone, here are some “must-dos” that will help insure that your project gets done safely, legally, and to your satisfaction.
- Hire a licensed You need to know that your contractor knows what he/she is doing. For larger jobs, that means that they should have a Construction Supervisor’s License. Check your state’s web site to verify that the license is in good standing. Click here for the MA state licensing board.
- Make sure they are insured and follow safe practices. Obviously, you don’t want someone on your roof without a harness, but accidents can happen anywhere. A good general contractor has the proper insurance.
- Check references. Ask the contractor for references for clients with similar projects. Follow up with an online search for reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau.
- Are they using their own in-house team or are they hiring subs? Find out how long they have been working with their sub-contractors. Long-term relationships with sub-contractors, including plumbers, electricians, and painters, are very telling. If a general contractor has new subs it could be a red flag that he doesn’t pay them on time or there have been other issues.
- Get it in writing. You should insist on a written contract that spells out exactly what work is included, the timeline, and a specific payment schedule that should be based on milestones (for example, electrical work complete = next payment due).
- Permits are a must if you are opening walls or changing the existing structure you DEFINITELY need a permit. Smaller projects might not need a permit, but its smart to check with the Building Inspector’s office first. What may be viewed as a hassle is really protection for the homeowner to make sure that the work is done correctly. Contractors should pull the proper permits at your Town Hall themselves – it’s a huge red flag if they ask the homeowner to pull the permit themselves which could mean that they aren’t licensed.