It’s October, which means it’s time for cider, pumpkin spice everything, and of course, spooky season. That’s right, we’re talking ghosts, goblins, and perhaps most terrifying of all – contractors! We know the reputation that contractors have, and from some of the stories out there, we understand it! Luckily, with an appropriately licensed contractor on your Roanoke home building team, your next home construction project doesn’t have to be scary!
Here are the questions to ask and the resources to use to get the right licensed contractor!
Are You a Licensed Contractor?
This one should be obvious, at least from the blog’s title, but you might be surprised how many people call themselves contractors but have no construction license whatsoever.
While there may be people out there who are excellent builders but don’t have a license, getting a license proves three things:
- The licensed contractor allows him or herself to be held accountable. They follow the basic guidelines for business operations in the state. If someone is unwilling to follow the rules on this most basic of guidelines, you may need to worry where else they might skirt regulation.
- You have a third party to go to if something goes wrong. When someone isn’t officially a business and isn’t licensedthrough the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and they choose not to honor an agreement, you are stuck.
- The licensed contractor has passed a test and screening to show a minimum level of knowledge and experience.
You should confirm the contractor’s license through DPOR’s license lookup tool.
Insurance Assurance
Another vital element of working with a licensed contractor is their insurance. Insurance means that if someone gets injured at your home, they are liable, not you.
You should also ensure the insurance covers the work they’re doing. For example, if a company is insured for flooring, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are also insured for roofing. Don’t be afraid to ask for a certificate of insurance (COI)!
Contracts
Find out how your licensed contractor bills jobs. We encourage you to get everything in writing, with an agreed-upon price and scope of work.
You and your contractor can make changes later, but you will both have to agree to them.
Don’t get caught in a situation where you’re paying by the hour and run out of budget before the job is complete!
Schedule
Set up a time frame. You should ideally include a timeframe within your contract. Obviously, we encourage you to be reasonable if there are unexpected circumstances, such as weather or a family emergency, but be careful that your contractor won’t leave before a job is complete, forcing you to live in an incomplete room or house.
How many jobs will your licensed contractor be working on? Will they not begin another until they complete yours?
Find out!
Ask for References
Finally, ask for references.
See if you can speak to a happy customer, and once you do, ask questions. Also, look at their online reviews on places like Google and Facebook, and check to see their BBB rating!
We Want to Be Your Right Licensed Contractor
While we hope that you pick Reynold’s Home Improvement as your licensed contractor, it’s even more important to us that no matter who you choose, you’re making an informed decision.
We’re a class A contractor with decades of experience and a long list of happy clients. Give us a call for your next construction project!