Hiring The Proper Contractor What To Expect During Installation
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Hiring The Proper Contractor What To Expect During Installation |
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Learn
the 6 Questions to Ask before Hiring your next Contractor
Selecting
a contractor can be one of the most important decisions you make. The right
contractor can mean the difference between a great home improvement job that
beautifies & increases the value of your home – and a disaster, causing
you even more money and needless heartache. But
how do you protect yourself from the bad contractors out there? The answer is
easy. By doing your homework, and asking the right questions. But what are the
right questions? Unfortunately, most homeowners only ask two: “How much?”
and “How soon?” And although these are valid questions, they are not the
most important ones. We
believe every homeowner should ask the following six questions when selecting a
contractor: Question
#1:
Does
the contractor have a permanent place of business? No
this is not a no-brainer. There are plenty of fly by night contractors out there
who may not be available when a warranty issue occurs. Many unscrupulous
contractors operate out of their trucks and cell phone. A contractor with a
permanently established place of business is likely to be more stable and
available when you need them. Question
#2
Does
the contractor have adequate insurance? Don’t
just ask. Get a copy of their workman’s compensation and General Liability
insurance. The workman’s compensation should have the different classes
indicating the contractor has the correct insurance coverage so you are
protected. Example: Roofing class for Roofing projects and Carpentry for Siding,
Carpentry, Doors, and Windows. Paul
Petty Roofing & Siding provides this information with every estimate. Question
#3:
How
long has the contractor been in business? If
he doesn’t have a long established track record, how do you know he will be
around to fix any warranty work you may need? Paul Petty Roofing & Siding
has been in business since 1955, providing customers with quality service for
over 52 years. Question
#4:
What
warranties are offered? Remember,
there are product warranties and workmanship warranties. The product warranties
are provided by the manufacturer, and protect against defects in the materials.
All major manufacturers offer them. So make sure you ask about workmanship
warranties.
These protect you against faulty installation and workmanship, and are offered
by the contractor
only.
And don’t forget – the manufacturer’s warranty is voided, if the
contractor does not install the product properly! Question
#5:
Is
the contractor providing enough detailed information about your unique job? Although
this really isn’t a question to ask, it is something you need to think about.
Every job is different. Is the contractor treating your job as a new, unique
project – or as a cookie-cutter job – just like everyone else’s? Is he
taking the time to provide you with enough detailed information to answer all of
your questions and make you comfortable? Or does it feel like he is avoiding
your questions, or trying to hide something? Question
#6:
Ask
the contractor for references. The
contractor should be able to supply you with at least 5 references for any type
of renovation that you may be doing. One
reference is not enough to make a sound decision. Summary:
If you take the time to ask these 6 questions you can rest assured that you have
done what you can to assure a positive contracting experience. Naturally, we hope you ask these questions of us, too. We will be glad to answer any additional questions that you may have. Paul Petty Roofing & Siding 45 Browns Drive, Easton Pa 18042
Ph. (610) 258-9273
Fax: (610)559-9440
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