Hiring A Trustworthy Contractor

Hiring a trustworthy contractor can be challenging. So many people offer these services, but if you hire the wrong person, you could end upspending hundreds or even thousands of dollars for shoddy work.

Additionally, if you are having extensive work done on your house, your contractor and their team could spend weeks around you and your family. It is very important to hire a contractor you trust to be alone in your home.

Ask Around

This is the easiest way to find a good contractor – ask friends, neighbors, and relatives who they have had do work for them, so you can see the results for yourself. They may be able to refer you to someone who will give you a good rate.

If your friends don’t know anyone or if they didn’t like the work they had done, make sure you note their complaints so you know who not to hire.

Asking around at the local hardware store could give you some leads —  the people who work there will know the reputations and work ethics of various contractors in the area, and may have more knowledge than a layman.

Do Your Research

Inform yourself about the work that is being done in your house. Sometimes, a bad contractor will draw out a job to make more money. Alternately, they will do a quick, shoddy job that fixes surface issues without repairing underlying issues.

Be sure to do some research on the work that is being done, and take a look at what the workers are doing on a regular basis. If they are lifting heavy materials, be sure the hoists are up to date and safe by OSHA standards.  If they are rewiring the house, make sure everything is properly insulated and safe.

There is one even more important safety tip for you and your home…

Protect Yourself

Make sure your contractor is insured and bonded! This is one of the most important things to look for when finding a contractor, because an uninsured contractor is probably not someone you want to trust with your money.

There is adifference between insuring and bonding – it’s best to find a contractor who has both. Insurance will protect the contractor and his workers in case of an accident. A good contractor will be sure to insure his employees against injury or death.

A bond will protect you. If you are not satisfied with the work that is done on your house, a bond will give you the right to refuse to pay for the work in the event that the contractor doesn’t complete the job or doesn’t meet their obligations.

Peace Of Mind

Although it can be an uphill struggle to find a great contractor, once you find one, you have the assurance of knowing where you will go for all your work again and again. Knowing that you can trust them to take care of your house for any problem that arises will give you peace of mind, and you will be able to confidently say to your friends: “Don’t worry, I know a guy.”