How to wisely choose people to work in/on your home for you.
How to wisely choose people to work in/on your home for you.
Topics: choosing a contractor, home improvement
Posted by Chris Mon Oct 30, 2006 14:17:04 PST
Viewed 437 times
0 responses 0 comments
How to wisely choose people to work in/on your home for you.
First, understand that not every person you contact is interested in doing your job. Don’t be offended if they don’t call back, They should, but sometimes Very Busy People don’t have time for courtesy. I hope I don’t offend anyone here, but the number one complaint I’ve heard in the last 18 years in this town in this business is that trades-people don’t call back in response to your call or after they’ve seen your project. However, polite people will call you back even if only to say they are not available for your current project. Make a note of them, because they may be interested in your next project!!
Locating people to call:
- Telephone book yellow pages (people there have been around a while).
- Newspapers - Contractor directories and classified.
- Local Merchants (referrals may or may not have an implied vote of confidence).
- Ask people you know who they use. (There’s the first reference out of the box).
- Contactor referral services on the Internet. Don’t let this be a substitute for a list of references. Some of these sites don’t screen their contacts as well as you might like.
- Check with the local Chamber of Commerce. See if your person is a member; or if complaints have been lodged against him/her.
- I’ve read that you should shy away from people who advertise door to door or in unconventional ways. However, this can be a money saving situation IF YOU SET THE TERMS. Ask if they can get people to vouch for their integrity: their friends, family or church? These are presumably unlicensed self-employed people just getting started. They are truly at your mercy. They have no rights. They cannot sue you. You hold all the cards ($$$$) please do not give your rights and your money away.. Licensed contractors cannot legally accept deposits greater than 10% of the contract total. Swimming pool contractor’s rules are different (check with the CSLB). Never give more than 10% to anybody until there are materials in your possessions or work has actually been done. Licensed or not!!!!. In a perfect world: you pay in proportion to what you’ve received. END OF TERMS But many talented trades people have started this way, find out what it is they love to do and ask to see a sample of their work.
You call, you leave a somewhat detailed message of your project with the receptionist or machine or whomever. If they’re interested they’ll let you know.
OK you’ve called 7 people. One said outright he wasn’t interested; one said he wasn’t available right now and if you can wait you might want to get on these people’s waiting list (the best are always busy), 5 said they’d come and see you, of those 3 actually showed up, and of those, 2 gave a price, one was verbal and they had no references, and the other had a nice contract and lots of references that you checked out and everybody loved them.
So where’s your problem?
O.K. You’re deciding who to go with: Are they all created equal?
Not even.
Get references.
Call and Ask these references:
§ Were you happy about the person’s performance?
§ Did they do what they said they would do, at the cost they stated and in the time frame they promised?
The only way you can protect yourself from being ripped off is to be aware of what problems can occur and how to deal with them or avoid them. Number one lesson in this business. Is this person managing their business properly? Are their customers happy? Nothing speaks louder than what one has actually done. Promises can fade in the wind.
Other things to check off on your list would be:
- If you live in Bear Valley - do they have a pass? Not required but shows a level of professionalism.
- If you live in the city do they have a city business license? Is required.
- Liability Insurance (not currently required by the CSLB) your homeowners’ policy would cover small projects. Check with your H.O. Policy providers as to their requirements for your protection.
- Worker’s Compensation Policies. Are you liable if some one is injured or killed on your jobsite? Actually this is the heart of the illegal immigration issue. Contractors who hire illegals are able to offer you lower prices because they do not carry these insurance policies on their employees, as are required by employers of legal citizens, who therefore have to charge higher prices to cover their costs. It’s your choice. P.S. Self-employed non-roofers who have no employees are not required to have this coverage.
- Bonds are required by the CSLB - you can find this and other related info on their website.
In law, the amount of evidence you collect determines the outcome of your case. Keep notations of whom you’ve called what they’ve said.
When you’ve decided to hire someone, always have a written contract even if it’s just scratching on a napkin. Who’s going to do what for how much money? Both parties get a signed copy. Changes require a new written contract. The more detailed each person gets the greater their rights are protected.
Good Luck
Chris Anderson
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