Summer is a great time to take on home repairs, from building a deck to adding the extra room you’ve always wanted. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, more power to you. If you are like me, your first question might be, “Who has the expertise to do this right, since I definitely don’t?”
Here are some questions to ask to be sure you find the right contractor or licensed professional to help you.
How long have you been in business?
In a community as small as ours, word gets around, which is great for reputable contractors and not so good for those who are either unskilled or unscrupulous. If someone has maintained steady work in the building trades in the Ukiah Valley for a number of years, that’s a good sign.
Are you licensed and insured?
A license doesn’t guarantee quality work, but it does increase the chances of it. Be sure your contractor is licensed to do the specific work you need—and that he or she carries both liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
If you’ve ever done small home repair projects, you know they almost always take longer and cost more than you think they will—and minor injuries are not uncommon. The bigger the project, the more opportunities there are for something to go wrong. Insurance is essential.
I’ve told this story before, but it bears repeating. Years ago, a local tree trimmer fell and broke his back. The homeowner who hired the tree trimming contractor felt terrible for the injured man but relieved he had chosen a licensed tree trimming company, assuming the tree trimmer’s care would be covered by the company’s insurance.
Come to find out, the tree trimming company had not renewed its insurance, and without insurance their license was no longer valid. So, the homeowner had to go to his homeowner’s insurance carrier to file a claim. Much to his surprise (and horror), his policy required tree trimming to be done by a licensed professional and it didn’t cover claims when work was completed by unlicensed contractors. So, the homeowner ended up paying for the tree trimmer’s medical bills out of his own pocket. The moral of the story? Verify license and insurance.
Is everything agreed to in writing?
Putting agreements in writing reduces the chances of misunderstanding and protects you against unscrupulous contractors. Contracts should include a detailed scope of work, a budget, and a timeline, so everyone’s expectations match. Make sure you ask all the questions you can think of. Do not make assumptions about what’s included and what isn’t. Spell it out. I once hired a contractor to repair my deck, which included tearing off the old railing. The contract we signed didn’t specify that he’d put up a new railing. I had simply assumed, which turned out to be an expensive and time-consuming mistake on my part.
How should we communicate?
Let your contractor know how often you would like updates and your preferred method of communication. A word to the wise, any time there’s a verbal agreement, follow it up with a text or email so you have a written record. Verbal promises are hard to prove in court.
Can you provide references for similar work you’ve done?
Anyone worth their salt will be happy to provide references, so don’t be afraid to ask for them. If you’re engaging someone for a major project, you should also ask to see some of his or her work to confirm that the quality is up to your standards. Trust me when I say that just because someone has a contractor’s license doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing.
Of course, a contractor will only provide the names of people who are happy with his or her work, so consider checking with friends and neighbors and those in the industry.
If you hire a licensed and insured contractor with a good reputation, chances are everything will go well, and you’ll be pleased with your new or improved home.
If you have questions about property management or real estate, please contact me at [email protected] or call (707) 462-4000. If you have an idea for a future column, share it with me and if I use it, I’ll send you a $25 gift certificate to Schat’s Bakery. To see previous articles, visit www.selzerrealty.comand click on "How's the Market".
Dick Selzer is a real estate broker who has been in the business for more than 45 years.
