Selecting A Contractor: How To Make A Better Decision

1. Check out the length of time a contractor has been doing business in your local area under his present company name.

2. To find out more about a particular company check out their website for their company history, trade association affiliations, completed project listings and photos and their product guide.

3. Does the company have a showroom and offices with regular working hours where you can view products and meet the people and staff you will be relying on to make your project a pleasant experience? Does the company own or rent their building which may reflect their commitment to their business and clients?

4. Who is the principal owner of the business and is he or she accessible and readily available to assist you and oversee your project?

5. Employ a contractor with an established business in your local area. Local firms can be checked throughout the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) at (585) 396-9370, The Better Contractors Bureau (BCB) at (585) 338-3600, The Better Business Bureau 1-800-828-5000 and the New York State Attorney General's Office at (585) 546-7430.

6. Ask the contractor for a current list of past clients from you area which has a brief description of the type of work performed. Be sure to talk with the contractor's past clients and inspect the work. Inquire as to the craftsmanship, neatness, promptness and politeness of the workers on their job. Also, ask the Contractor for a list of addresses where they are presently working.

7. How accessible by phone is the company during regular business hours?

8. Check with the contractor as to the service and warranty policy of their company, and is it stated in writing in the contract.

9. Has the contractor stated on the contract a starting and a completion date which is required by New York State Law?

10. Does the contractor currently carry liability insurance which covers damage and bodily injury to your property and workman's compensation which covers the employees of the contractor working on the job? Always ask the contractor for a current certificate of insurance.

11. Has the contractor furnished you with a complete, detailed and thorough specifications sheet which clearly states the scope of the job? If a project is clearly and precisely spelled out in writing ahead of time, the chance of a miscommunication between the homeowner and contractor is greatly reduced.

12. Has the contractor provided to you in writing the escrow account number and bank which any funds received by them from you before the project is completed is to be deposited into? This is also required by New York State Law.

13. Ask the contractor to furnish you with a list of the supply companies they do business with and call to verify their credit and account status. A supplier has the right to place a lien of a homeowner's property is the contractor does not pay the supplier for the materials, even if the homeowner has paid the contractor in full for all work performed.

14. Ask the contractor to furnish you with bank and bank officer that handles their business accounts. A bank officer familiar with a contractor should have a good idea of how the business is managed and run.

In conclusion, many times homeowners select their contractor based on how well they liked the salesperson and the lowest price for the project. The turnover of companies is very high in the remodeling industry so be sure the contractor you select runs a professional company which will be around in the future to service your needs. Try to select the contractor which offers you the best value for your hard earned dollars. Make your decision based not only on cost, but also on the knowledge of the salesperson, selection and functionality of the products, quality of the workmanship, the management team, the ability of the company to service your job in the future and most importantly the dependability, honesty and reputation of the contractor.