IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2016

INDUSTRY INSIGHT INSURANCE INFORMATION SPONSORED CONTENT Are you planning home improvement projects this spring? Spring is the season for home improvements. Make sure your project goes smoothly with these tips for finding a trustworthy contractor—and spotting one who isn’t. Smart Steps for Selecting a Contractor ➢ Contact your local home builders association or remodelers council for a directory of members. This list, plus references from friends and family, can help you get started. ➢ Ask the Better Business Bureau about any complaints filed against the contractors you’re considering. Other helpful contacts include past customers and other building or remodeling professionals, such as your architect or a materials supplier. ➢ Check for membership in industry associations. “When you see [contractors] who have taken the time to do this, it shows that they care about their business and care about representing themselves and their industry well,” says Paul Sullivan, Vice Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers. ➢ Make sure the contractors are currently licensed and registered. These requirements vary by state, so ask your local or state agencies for specific details. ➢ Request proof of insurance. “Contractors should have liability and workers’ compensation insurance,” Sullivan says. This can help protect you against injuries or property damage that might occur. ➢ Get at least three different estimates. Ask the contractors to explain any differences, and avoid immediately choosing the contractor with the lowest cost. ➢ Once you’ve selected a contractor, insist on a written contract. Some things the contract must include: the contractor’s contact information, a project timeline, a payment schedule and permit requirements. “Your contract also should have a clause allowing you to cancel the contract and seek a return of unused funds if the contractor can’t complete the project,” Sullivan says. Signs of a Contracting Scam ➢ Pushy door-to-door sales tactics or unsolicited phone calls or visits. ➢ Promising discounts for using leftover materials or for referring other customers. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Sullivan says. ➢ Insisting on a large deposit or cash payments in full. ➢ Asking you to secure building permits. ➢ Unwillingness to provide local contact information. The Federal Trade Commission offers additional tips for hiring a contractor on its site. Learn more tip-offs to home repair scams from State Farm®. The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made. - See more at: https:// learningcenter.statefarm.com/residence/repair/select-a-reputable-home-contractor/#sthash.YsPZw7pK.dpuf Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 45

IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2016 | Page 47