NOT ALL CONTRACTORS ARE CREATED EQUAL
When you're ready to hire a home improvement company, consider the following tips:
Get a contractors estimate in writing
Obtain an estimate based on the contractors survey of your home. The contractor should visit your home and you should walk him or her through every aspect of the job.
This is a good time to be specific about colors (you can obtain samples of many manufacturers' paints at hardware and home improvement stores) and to ask for professional opinions.
Research the contractors references
Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured. You also will want to check references. In your research, don't trust photos. Most are taken from too far away to reveal any imperfections or mistakes..
Ask for contacts on projects similar to yours. Look at projects that are at least three years old. You'll want to find out whether the materials the contractor used have held over time and weathered the elements gracefully.
Be specific about expectations in the contract
Specify the work that will be done, the estimated completion time, and the total cost and payment schedule. Also, include the paint manufacturer's name, color, grade, gloss, base, where the paints will be used, and how many coats will be applied.
The contract should state that the company will clean up after the job is complete and remove excess material from floors, ceilings and windows.
Beware of a contractor who uses phrases such as "surfaces prepared," for example. The contract should instead spell out how the surfaces will be prepared — for example: a power wash, bleach solution, disk sanding and caulk in any gaps.
Damage control
Home improvements can make a big mess, which is why the contractor should agree to return the area to its original state. The company should specify in its contract that it uses drop cloths and that it protects landscaping.
Paying your contractor
Experts recommend paying for the job in thirds. Your contractor should receive a deposit of less than 10 percent when you first sign the contract, a third of the remainder in the middle of the project, and the remaining balance when the job is complete and all materials have been cleared.
One last tip: if you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner's association, be sure to check with them to ensure that they approve the project. You wouldn't want to have to pay to have your home improvement removed.
Get a contractors estimate in writing
Obtain an estimate based on the contractors survey of your home. The contractor should visit your home and you should walk him or her through every aspect of the job.
This is a good time to be specific about colors (you can obtain samples of many manufacturers' paints at hardware and home improvement stores) and to ask for professional opinions.
Research the contractors references
Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured. You also will want to check references. In your research, don't trust photos. Most are taken from too far away to reveal any imperfections or mistakes..
Ask for contacts on projects similar to yours. Look at projects that are at least three years old. You'll want to find out whether the materials the contractor used have held over time and weathered the elements gracefully.
Be specific about expectations in the contract
Specify the work that will be done, the estimated completion time, and the total cost and payment schedule. Also, include the paint manufacturer's name, color, grade, gloss, base, where the paints will be used, and how many coats will be applied.
The contract should state that the company will clean up after the job is complete and remove excess material from floors, ceilings and windows.
Beware of a contractor who uses phrases such as "surfaces prepared," for example. The contract should instead spell out how the surfaces will be prepared — for example: a power wash, bleach solution, disk sanding and caulk in any gaps.
Damage control
Home improvements can make a big mess, which is why the contractor should agree to return the area to its original state. The company should specify in its contract that it uses drop cloths and that it protects landscaping.
Paying your contractor
Experts recommend paying for the job in thirds. Your contractor should receive a deposit of less than 10 percent when you first sign the contract, a third of the remainder in the middle of the project, and the remaining balance when the job is complete and all materials have been cleared.
One last tip: if you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner's association, be sure to check with them to ensure that they approve the project. You wouldn't want to have to pay to have your home improvement removed.
Contact us at (571) 572-8612