Checklist for hiring a Contractor

We’ve all been in a situation where we needed to some kind of work done on or around our home. If you aren’t related to someone who can do the work for you, you need to find someone else who can do it. Finding the right person or company to do any work at your home can sometimes feel like a risk. Consider this checklist for choosing a contractor to help you with the work you need to have done.

How long have you been doing business locally?

It’s important to know how long someone has been in the area. There have been times, during tornadoes or bad weather, that contractors have been known to pull up stakes and go where the temporary business is. There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to help in a time of need, but where are they should a problem occur? Nowhere to be found.

What kind of a guarantee do you offer?

You need to know what the course of action you have is in the event that things don’t quite work out the way you thought they would. Is the guarantee in writing? You need something to protect yourself in the event that the work that is done, is not done right or when unforeseen complications arise.

Who will be doing the work?

You won’t believe how many times the “salesman” is not the one who physically does the work. People buy people. You might choose a contractor because you felt comfortable with their level of knowledge and with them as a person. If they are not the ones performing the work, ask if you have a chance to meet and interview the workers before accepting the bid.

Were you sold or did you buy?

Being sold work because you are afraid of what might happen if you don’t have the work done is a bad way to start your project. Making an educated decision with no pressure is a more comfortable way to hire a contractor. Look for a contractor who takes time to educate you on their services and products, does not put pressure on you to make a decision and does not ask for a deposit before the work has begun.

Why is there such a big difference in my bids?

In any profession there exists varying levels of expertise. If one quote is much lower than the other, pay attention to the fact that you may have been given an estimate for work that will be done by someone with less experience and may likely be sub-par in comparison with the other.

Do your homework online

When considering any contractor, make sure you can find them online. If you can’t find them online, chances are you won’t be able to find them if something goes south during the project. You will find reviews on their website or other places online as well as a Facebook page. Using a small business to complete your project helps your local economy. They should at least have a Facebook page or they may too small and have too little experience to accomplish the task you will be paying them to do.

Ask the right questions and pay attention to any red flags during the process is a good way to ensure that the contractor you hire is the best one for the job and you are pleased enough to recommend them to others online and offline. The contractors at Concrete Raising Systems do the work themselves, don’t take a deposit in advance of the work, educate you about their polyurethane process and concrete repair work, offer a guarantee; if it sinks they will lift it again for free and have an informative website with customer reviews to back up their work!