Whether you are planning to add one extra room for your growing family or just getting storm windows, finding a competent contractor is usually key to a successful and satisfying home improvement project. Your home is probably the most valuable asset you have. This explains why you need to be very careful when choosing someone to work on it. Most contractors nowadays run adverts on television, newspaper or even yellow pages. However, you should not consider an ad as indication of quality of work to expect from the contractor. In fact, good contractors do not even need to advertise themselves to get clients. Most of their clients are through referrals. So, when looking for any contractors South Jersey residents will find the following tips very useful.
First you need to ask your potential contractor his area of specialty. This is very important because there are different types of contractors. Stay away from any contractor who claims to know it all. He may be a jack of all trades but a master of none. Ask your potential contractor for a list of his recently completed projects. This will help you determine how familiar he is with your kind of project.
You should imagine what will happen should the contractor take your deposit and disappear. In such a situation, the most realistic thing to do would be to report him to the relevant authority. However, it will be very difficult to trace him if he was just one of the fly by night contractors. So to be on the safe side, you should only deal with licensed companies.
The type of insurance cover that the contractor holds is also worth considering. A good contractor should hold personal liability cover, workers compensation cover and property damage coverage. Do not believe what the contractor tells you verbally unless and until you see his insurance certificate. If you are not keen enough, some rogue contractors will even show you invalid certificates. You therefore need to verify the expiry date of the certificate you are being shown.
Service fee is another definite consideration. Being costly does not make one to be a better contractor. Because of this, you should never hire expensive contractor thinking that you will get the best. Always compare charges from a number of them and settle on one whose charges make sense.
You will as well need to secure a comprehensive contract before work begins. Have everything in writing and make sure that the contract is clear and well written. It should indicate the scope of work, service fee, payment schedule, applicable warranties and any other important aspect. Do not give in to demands of the contractor to make full payment in advance. Apart from down payment, all other payments must be made after the work is completed.
Just to be sure that you are dealing with the right contractor, you should also ask him for references. Visiting some of his past/current sites will enable you know the quality of his workmanship. You can also ask his past customer what they think of him. Only hire him if majority of his past customers approve of him.
By following these guidelines when looking for contractors South Jersey people will be assured of good construction services. When choosing a contractor, you should remember that it is your investment at stake. As such, you will need the very best.
First you need to ask your potential contractor his area of specialty. This is very important because there are different types of contractors. Stay away from any contractor who claims to know it all. He may be a jack of all trades but a master of none. Ask your potential contractor for a list of his recently completed projects. This will help you determine how familiar he is with your kind of project.
You should imagine what will happen should the contractor take your deposit and disappear. In such a situation, the most realistic thing to do would be to report him to the relevant authority. However, it will be very difficult to trace him if he was just one of the fly by night contractors. So to be on the safe side, you should only deal with licensed companies.
The type of insurance cover that the contractor holds is also worth considering. A good contractor should hold personal liability cover, workers compensation cover and property damage coverage. Do not believe what the contractor tells you verbally unless and until you see his insurance certificate. If you are not keen enough, some rogue contractors will even show you invalid certificates. You therefore need to verify the expiry date of the certificate you are being shown.
Service fee is another definite consideration. Being costly does not make one to be a better contractor. Because of this, you should never hire expensive contractor thinking that you will get the best. Always compare charges from a number of them and settle on one whose charges make sense.
You will as well need to secure a comprehensive contract before work begins. Have everything in writing and make sure that the contract is clear and well written. It should indicate the scope of work, service fee, payment schedule, applicable warranties and any other important aspect. Do not give in to demands of the contractor to make full payment in advance. Apart from down payment, all other payments must be made after the work is completed.
Just to be sure that you are dealing with the right contractor, you should also ask him for references. Visiting some of his past/current sites will enable you know the quality of his workmanship. You can also ask his past customer what they think of him. Only hire him if majority of his past customers approve of him.
By following these guidelines when looking for contractors South Jersey people will be assured of good construction services. When choosing a contractor, you should remember that it is your investment at stake. As such, you will need the very best.
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