Construction Blog

Questions for your remodeler

It is a familiar story- the homeowner decides on a contractor with a low price, down the road, things start to slow up, workmen don’t show up and before long the contractor has left the job.Nothing is fail safe but one can protect oneself if they concentrate on the basics. Every company will under bid from time to time, companies that have longstanding reputations will swallow the bitter pill and finish the job.Those that don’t-won’t! Follow these questions for your remodeler.

• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
• Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
• Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? Always verify this information by calling the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date, you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. If licensing is required in your state also ask if the contractor is licensed and call to verify  compliance with the law. Not all states offer or require licensing. Check      with your local or state government agencies.
• What is your approach to a project such as this?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
• May I have a list of references from those projects?
• May I have a list of business referrals or suppliers?
• What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business?