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HIRING A CONTRACTOR

Ask friends, neighbors and relatives to recommend contractors with whom they have done business.

Get at least three written estimates and ask for references from each contractor.

Make sure the contractors are licensed and insured.

Check each of the contractors out on the Better Business Bureau’s website (www.bbb.org) to see if they have any complaints on file.

Before you sign a contract be certain it details all the work that will be done and that the building materials used will be up to your specifications. You will also want to have in writing how change orders will be handled.

Lay out payment terms in specifics. Give as small a down-payment as possible and then give specific points in the job at which future payments will be made. Using the example of having a deck built – You agree to pay 20% down, another 30% when the footings are in and have been inspected by the local building inspector, and you agree to pay the remaining 50% when the job is completed. You may also want to add language to the contract regarding what will happen should the contractor fail to meet the promised completion date.

Check with your municipality’s building inspector to see if permits are required for the job you are planning and make sure your contractor has the permit(s) before he begins the job.

The contract must state that all work will be up to local building code regulations and that the contractor will indemnify you and correct any problems found to exist by the building inspector.

The contract should state that the contractor will be responsible for any damage done to your property by his workmen or any subcontractors he may use.

Finally, make sure that the contract specifies that the builder will leave your property clean and take with him any debris from the job.

Make your final payment when the job has been completed to your satisfaction.