How to Choose a Reputable Contractor
Click on any of the questions below to obtain valuable information and insight based on our experience.
If you do not find the answer to your question, or would like to obtain more information, contact one of our friendly and helpful staff.
- Is the Contractor Licensed, Insured and Bonded?
- Is the Contractor in Good Business Standing?
- Can they really do the construction project for the cost that they say they can?
- Does the Contractor actually know the construction crew working your job?
- Does the construction crew do timely work so the job is completed quickly?
- How about the quality of the building materials the contractor is using?
- How about the customer service during and after the sale?
- Does the company understand the importance of Customer Satisfaction?
- Does the salesperson in front of you understand the construction process and getting the work done?
Is the Contractor Licensed, Bonded and Insured?
Not all contractors need to be licensed, bonded or insured. Make sure your contractor is. Licensing means they have passed state testing standards to be a contractor. Insured means they have liability insurance to cover unforeseen accidents that may happen while working on your home (ie. fire etc.) $1 million is usually recommended. Bonded means that in case the contractor is unable to finish a job or they go out of business, there is a recovery fund that a homeowner may pursue reimbursement from the state.
Is the Contractor in Good Business Standing?
It’s sad but true, some contractors are just not very good and have complaints filed against them. Call the Minnesota Better Business Bureau at 651-669-1111 or visit their web site at http://www.mnd.bbb.org and search by company name to see if any claims have been filed. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office in St. Paul is another excellent source of information at (651) 296-2803 or visit their website at http://www.sos.state.mn.us
Can they really do the construction project for the cost that they say they can?
Yes, but get that in writing from your contractor before you start work. Additional charges can occur if there is damage found after the job has started such as rotten wood or water damage. Construction companies usually will not pay for this type of damage, these costs are the responsibility of the homeowner. Your contractor and you should review those items and come to agreement on additional charges before the additional work is started. That way there are no unpleasant costs tacked on at the end of the project.
Does the Contractor actually know the construction crew working your job?
It’s common in the construction industry to use subcontractors and there is nothing wrong with that…if they’re good. Make sure the contractor has personally interviewed, supervised and approved the caliber of the workforce that will be working on your home. Have they demonstrated quality workmanship on other homes? Find a company that uses fewer, but more experienced and qualified subcontractors so you can be assured to get the same high quality finished product on your home as they claim on others. Usually two guys and a pickup isn’t the type of company that you want to work on your home. Will they be available to do service calls?
Does the construction crew do timely work so the job is completed quickly?
Everyone wants a quality job, but it should also be done quickly to minimize the disruption in your life. Siding crews need to have at least a 3-4 person crew. If not, they will have a hard time completing any job in about one week. Roofing crews should have 4 – 6 people. To remove shingles and replace them in 1-2 days is a must to keep the time short and your home dry from the unpredictable weather. Replacement windows usually take 1 person about a day for an 8 window job.
How about the quality of the building materials the contractor is using?
There are over 4,000 manufacturers that supply building materials to the construction industry. For your home, demand only name brand products. Select shingles that have a minimum 25 year warranty, vinyl siding should be at least .044 mm thick and made from fade resistant material. Vinyl windows should be manufactured by a top quality manufacturer with decades of window experience.
How about the customer service during and after the sale?
Sometimes there are small items that may go un-noticed during the final inspection. Make sure the contractor will return calls in a timely manner and makes in-progress inspection visits during the work on your home and resolves issues during the warranty period.
Does the company understand the importance of Customer Satisfaction?
Everyone talks about customer satisfaction, but few have a clue what that really means. Ask your contractor if they cover your landscaping and shrubs during the construction project. Demand that they pick up nails and other debris at the end of the project. Lastly, does the contractor include an inspection check list. An agreed-to list provided by the contractor at the start of the project to be reviewed and signed by you at the end of the job.
Does the salesperson in front of you understand the construction process and getting the work done?
Question the sales persons knowledge about the company offerings, how he plans to optimize your construction process and get the work done quickly and satisfactorily. Does the person have experience at evaluating homes for remodeling. Have they followed a project from start to completion. Generally it’s not a good idea to settle for someone doing this as a summer job. They have little stake in your long-term satisfaction and have no authority with the company they are representing. Pick a company with successful restorations in the area or even your neighborhood.
