Ten Things You Need To Know Before Hiring A Remodeling Contractor

Article by: Roland Ridgeway

1)Are you licensed? Make sure your contractor , Kitchen Bar Stools - They're Not Just For Breakfast Anymore! is properly licensed. , Spring Cleaning: Out with the Mold In the State of Delaware, all contractors , What You Should Look For When Buying an Outdoor Wood and Coal Furnace MUST be either certified by the State (if they have a statewide license), or registered with the State (if they have a countywide license). Anyone can say they are licensed. , A DIY Guide for Underfloor Heating Make the contractor , The Home Improvement Nightmare-Who's To Blame and How To Avoid It prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date, and the county if It's a countywide license. Being licensed , Build Your Own Storage Sheds is the law. If a contractor , Bakers Rack - A Must Have cannot produce a valid license, DON'T HIRE HIM!

If you live in a townhouse, , The Art of Power Washing Decks villa, or high rise condominium , Bakers Rack - A Must Have building with four or more units, only a Building , Breadmakers For Easy Baking Contractor or General Contractor , Custom Kitchen Cabinets. What you Need to Know. are permitted to perform remodeling work. Do not hire a Residential Contractor; he would be operating outside , Overview of the Training Necessary to Become a Plumber of his license. Furthermore, hire a specialty contractor , Energy Savings from Solar Products (trim, carpentry, drywall, glazing, aluminum, plumbing, , Energy Savings from Solar Products electrical, mechanical, roofing, , Build Your Own Storage Sheds etc.) to do only the type of work the license specifies.

If you have any questions or doubts, call , Carpet Tiles Are A Great Source For Flooring the Delaware Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or the New Castle County Construction Industry licensing board.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance? Make sure your contractor , Smoke Detectors are Now Required by Law! carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property , Don't Buy A Down Comforter Until You Read This in case of damage caused by the contractor , Vario Vase and/or his employees. The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing and/or repairing any damage that occurs.

Anyone can say they are insured. Make the contractor , Overview of the Training Necessary to Become a Plumber prove it by having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certified copy of his insurance with you named as the certificate holder.

3. Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? Your contractor , Feng Shui Your Home, Work and Life For Balance and Harmony should provide you with a written lien waiver at the end of the job. This is a legal document, which says you the homeowner have paid the contractor , Bathroom Vanities - Add a Touch of Elegance to Your Home in full for the services rendered and the contractor , Carpet Tiles Are A Great Source For Flooring waives his right to place , Prepare Your Home for Sale: Home Staging Your Kitchen a mechanic's lien on your property. , Overview of the Training Necessary to Become a Plumber If during the course of construction you receive any Notice to Owner documents from material suppliers or sub-contractors, it would be prudent to ask the contractor , Have Perfect Holidays by Buying Property in France for a Final Release of Lien from each one prior to paying the contractor , What To Look For In Persian Rugs his final draw. This protects you in case the contractor , Have Perfect Holidays by Buying Property in France doesn't pay his material suppliers or subÃ‚Â¬contractors after you have paid him in full.

4. Are you a member of NARI or NAHB? NARI stands for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and NAHB stands for the National Association of Home , Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement the House Builders. It's always a good idea to consider hiring a NARI or NAHB contractor. , Septic Systems: The Inside Story - Two Main Causes of System Failures In most cases, both organizations only attract conscientious contractors , Have Perfect Holidays by Buying Property in France interested in bettering the industry and in weeding out unprofessional contractors. , Blob Bean Bag Chairs - UK Beanbag Furniture Guide In order to become a member, the contractor's background and references are thoroughly investigated.

5. Will you pull all the required building , Buying a Ceiling Fan permits? Make sure your contractor , Log Cabin Floor Plans - Finding Great Log Cabin Plans pulls all required permits. This is very important. When a contractor , Vario Vase pulls the required building , Overview of the Training Necessary to Become a Plumber permits, you know things will be done to "code'. Also, many homeowner's insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home , Spring Cleaning: Out with the Mold properly covered. Not all contractors , Top Ten Remodeling Tips will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the "hassle"Â with the inspectors. Some contractors , How Cellulose Insulation Is Applied may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside , What To Look For In Persian Rugs of their license. A reputable contractor , Breadmakers For Easy Baking will permit every job where a permit is required.

6. Do you guarantee your work? Your contractor , Wood Boilers should guarantee his work for at least one year from date of completion.

7. Who will be In charge of the Job? Make sure the contractor , Using a Ladder Safely or his foreman is on the job whenever work is being performed, - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect of your project. If you won't be home , Build Your Own Storage Sheds during the construction and must leave the house , Bakers Rack - A Must Have unlocked, or leave a key with the contractor, , Five Flooring Design Tips you must feel comfortable. You can't be worried about what is going on when you are not there.

8. Will you provide me with written references? A good contractor , Spring Cleaning: Out with the Mold will be happy to provide you witrel="nofollow" hreferences. You should look for a well-established contractor , Kitchen Bar Stools - They're Not Just For Breakfast Anymore! who can give you several client references from the last 6 months to one year. Ask for the name of the contractor's accountant or banker. You want to ensure the contractor , Overview of the Training Necessary to Become a Plumber is financially sound and won't be declaring bankruptcy in the middle of your project.

9. What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? When a significant source of a contractor's business is derived from repeat and referral business, it usually indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they have received.

10. How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year? Your contractor , Unique Wall Clocks - Elegance And Style For Every Room should have experience in the type of remodeling project you want done "â€ not just "contracting experience"Â

Roland Ridgeway is owner of Tri-State Remodeling, a delware remodeling contractor , Wallpaper Mural Tricks: How to Choose and Install that specializes in replacement windows, , How Cellulose Insulation Is Applied roofing, , Energy Savings from Solar Products vinyl siding, and gutter protection systems for homeowners in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Roland is also the author of "9 Things You Must Know Before Hiring a Window , Home Improvement Costs for 2006 or Siding Contractor"

a free consumer guide that can be requested at http://www.tri-stateremodeling.com/remodeling_tips/consumer_guide.html

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