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Spending The Time Will Save Money |
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Allow yourself a
minimum of 1 hour to sit down with each contractor. Both of you need to
explore the problems, products, and prices. You will be surprised at how
many options and questions can be discussed with a professional contractor.
Taking only 1 hour of time getting to know and qualifying the contractor prior to awarding your project can save endless hours of time dealing with dissatisfaction. Most dissatisfaction involves an owner who did not fully know what they selected or committed themselves to. A professional contractor will take pride in his work and will have no problem discussing your options, his previous experience, and his list of satisfied customers.
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Know What To Ask |
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Make sure to ask these seven key questions!
• What is the
full name and address of the company?
• Is the company a licensed contractor? Is the contractor a member of a trade
association and in good standing?
• What is the contractor's track record for handling complaints? • Specific questions for specific projects.
*Information provided by CCN
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Do Your Homework |
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The Council of Better Business Bureaus offers these suggestions for checking out
prospective contractors*: • Find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association - such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or the National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) - that has standards or a code of ethics for members. • Call your local Better Business Bureau or consumer affairs office to find out how long the contractor has been in business and whether or not any complaints have been filed against him. • Check with your local housing authority (state, county or city) to see if the contractor is required to meet certain licensing or bonding criteria in your area and then make sure that he is in compliance. • Request a copy of the contractor’s certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents, and call the carrier to verify the information.
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Buyer Beware |
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Most contractors
are honest professionals. However, as in any buying situation, it’s your job
to be on the lookout for the unscrupulous few. Here’s what the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) warns are some of the danger signs of
fraud*: • Fantastic promises or wild deals • High-pressure sales tactics or threats to push you into signing up on the spot • Attempts to scare you into signing for "urgent" repairs • Offers to consolidate your existing loans through a home improvement contractor • Trial purchases, or guarantees of significant discounts, if you allow your home to be used as a "demo" • Offers of a "bargain" price using "leftover materials" from a contractor who makes unsolicited phone calls or visits to your home |
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The
critical success factor in any construction project, is the contractor. A
qualified and experienced contractor knows what results are required
for owner satisfaction, as well as what will lead to dissatisfaction down the
road. Selecting the right contractor, however, can be quite confusing for most
people. The following recommendations from the Certified Contractor's Network (CCN),
the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
and several roofing manufactures, are provided to
educate you, the consumer.