Ask for Licenses and Insurance
Many states, but not all, require
contractors to be licensed, bonded
and insured. Ask for copies of licenses
and insurance certificates for any
remodelers you're considering to
make sure they're current. Most
states also require contractors
to carry worker's compensation,
property damage and personal
liability insurance for their crews.
Contact your state or local licensing
agencies to ensure the contractor
meets the minimum requirements.
Check References
Once you've narrowed your list
of potential contractors, ask for a list
of references you can contact and a
portfolio of work. A typical reference
list includes 10 or more jobs with dates
as well as the customer's name, address
and phone number, and a portfolio
should also contain at least 10 projects
with photos of the space before work
began, during the project and after
completion. If possible, also consider
visiting a current job site to see first-
hand how the contractor operates.
Search for Violations
or Complaints
Because you can't always rely
on a portfolio or references, it's
important to also check with your
local consumer affairs office or the
Better Business Bureau to ensure there
are no complaints on record for the
contractors you're considering, which
may help further narrow your list.
Compare Apples to Apples
While a number of different factors
goes into every remodeling project,
be sure all contractors you solicit
bids from are using the same scope
and quality of work requirements.
Discuss any significant variations
in price or timelines and be wary of
any substantially lower estimates.
Find more tips for
selecting a contractor at
remodelingdoneright.com.
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