By Angela Walker
Before I begin sharing with you my experience in dealing with contractors, let me give you the definition of the word contractor from Webster’s point of view – a contractor is one that agrees to furnish materials or perform services at a specified price, especially for construction work.
It all started about six years ago when I bought a multi-unit building. This was my first purchase so you can imagine how excited I was. I decided to rehab the building but I didn’t know a thing about contractors and how to choose one. So I asked around and a friend of mine referred me to a contractor he knew. I was so excited and I couldn’t wait until he got started. So I hired the contractor and he talked me through everything that he was going to do. It all sounded so good, all I could see was the finished product. So to start the job I had to give him $8,000. The first day he showed up he began to perform the agreed upon work. About a week into the project I didn’t see him or my $8,000 again, only to leave me with a shell of a building and insufficient duct work. Can you imagine how I felt? Well I believe many people have experienced a similar situation in which a contractor has taken advantage of you because of what you don’t know.
Choosing the right contractor goes over and beyond a referral, a good conversation, and even Webster’s definition of a contractor. There are necessary steps that I believe you as a consumer need to take in order to make sure that your project is a success…
(1) Research, Research, Research. It is ok to screen more than one
contractor until you are comfortable with the one you choose.
(2) It is ok to ask the contractor you choose for references.
(3) Do not be forced into signing a contract under pressure.
(4) Get all estimates in writing.
(5) Never sign a contract, if you do not fully understand it.
(6) You have 3 business days from the time you sign the contract to cancel any contract if the sale is made at your home.
(7) Always ask if the contractor will guarantee his or her work.
(8) Only sign a certificate of completion or make final payment when the work is done and to your satisfaction.
(9) Never pay a contractor who demands cash payments, always have a record of your payments.
(10) If working with a general contractor, request lien waivers to protect your property from subcontractors filing a lien against your property.
(11) Last, but not least make sure that the contractor agrees to clean up after the work has been completed. I have encountered several situations in which the contractor will leave you to clean up thier dirty work.
I am not saying that by following these steps you will choose the best contractor. What I am saying is that following these steps will help you weed out some of the bad ones.
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Angela Walker is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker & a Remodeler. She can be reached at angela.walker@cbexchange.com
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