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4 tips you’ve never heard for hiring a contractor


jessieclark

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The DIY (do-it-yourself) trend continues to be popular, helping the renovation market rise to heights rivaling its pre-recession levels. With resources like Youtube, Houzz, and Pinterest, it’s easier than ever for homeowners to figure out their own small scale home improvement projects. They don’t always have to hire contractors to install dry wall or lay carpet.

However, some projects will always require outside help. For instance, moving a wall, adding to a home’s original footprint, or changing the electrical wiring or plumbing all require professional help. So how can you tell the experienced contractors from the ignorant, the legitimate from the fake? They can seem shockingly similar if you only look at their logos or listen to their claims.

Fox News correspondent Adam Verwymeren recently developed a list explaining some important rules for hiring contractors which you may not have heard of before.

Don’t pay a big deposit

It’s normal for contractors to require some of their payment up front. There are initial costs of material and labor that need covered right away. But giving them everything at once destroys their motivation to finish the project in a timely manner.

Verwymeren suggested, “For most jobs, a down payment of around 15 percent is common, and an initial payment should never exceed a third of the total cost of the project.”

Require certified references

Most homeowners know it’s a good idea to require a contractor to provide references, but once they have the contact information, they don’t know what to do with it. Instead of moving on once you’ve glanced at the list of names, you must vet a few of these people just to be sure the company is legitimate and previous customers were satisfied with their work. Contractors should be happy to supply these names, not suspicious or hesitant.

Check on insurance and licensing

Don’t be tricked by contractors who offer you cut rate deals. Chances are, they aren’t insured or licensed. This omission might save you and them a little money initially, but if workers damage your neighbor’s yard or fall off a ladder, injuring themselves, you may be the one held liable for damages and medical fees.

Avoid open-ended contracts.

If you think a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And that goes for contractors that don’t require you to sign a contract. Verwymeren explained, “A good contractor should know how long certain stages of the job will take and set deadlines that he can meet. . . . You want to protect yourself against a contractor that promises you the moon and then cuts costs with bargain-basement materials.”

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by BaseBoardRadiatorCover.com

Source: foxnews.com/leisure/2014/10/16/7-was-to-spot-potentially-bad-contractor/

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