To achieve a happy relationship and professional results,
follow the steps outlined below to find and hire a pro:
Get the names of several contractors by asking friends for
recommendations. Take a look at examples of their work to see if
it meets your expectations.
Get rough estimates from all contractors who interest you. It will
help you narrow the field of candidates and judge how candid
they are about money matters.
For a major job, get at least three bids. Give a contractor about
three weeks to produce the bid. Read the bids closely; they
should detail the materials that will be used. If one contractor is
much lower than the others, check to make sure he or she is
truly capable and experienced.
When accepting bids, find out how long the contractor has been
in business -- the longer the better. Ask who finances the
contractor's company (usually it's a bank). Ask the bank about
the contractor's general solvency. You don't want a contractor to
go bankrupt in the middle of your project.
Determine whether the contractor carries insurance. Every
contractor's insurance should cover property damage, liability,
and workers' compensation. If the contractor is not covered, you
could be liable for hefty fees in case of an accident.
Writing the Contract
Once you've chosen a bid, negotiate a contract. It should have
the important elements listed below:
follow the steps outlined below to find and hire a pro:
Get the names of several contractors by asking friends for
recommendations. Take a look at examples of their work to see if
it meets your expectations.
Get rough estimates from all contractors who interest you. It will
help you narrow the field of candidates and judge how candid
they are about money matters.
For a major job, get at least three bids. Give a contractor about
three weeks to produce the bid. Read the bids closely; they
should detail the materials that will be used. If one contractor is
much lower than the others, check to make sure he or she is
truly capable and experienced.
When accepting bids, find out how long the contractor has been
in business -- the longer the better. Ask who finances the
contractor's company (usually it's a bank). Ask the bank about
the contractor's general solvency. You don't want a contractor to
go bankrupt in the middle of your project.
Determine whether the contractor carries insurance. Every
contractor's insurance should cover property damage, liability,
and workers' compensation. If the contractor is not covered, you
could be liable for hefty fees in case of an accident.
Writing the Contract
Once you've chosen a bid, negotiate a contract. It should have
the important elements listed below:
- Itemize in detail all work to be done. Specify the type and
brand of materials and finishes to be used. Include a
specific timetable. You may want to work in a penalty for
late completion, or a reward for early completion. - A fixed-price contract should specify the total cost of the
job. A cost-plus contract should specify the cost of
materials and labor. Payments should be dependent on
work completed. - Include a right of rescission, permitting you to rescind, or
back out of, a contract within 72 hours of signing it. - A certificate of insurance guarantees that the contractor is
covered. Include in the contract a warranty ensuring that
the labor and materials are free from defects for at least a
year. - An arbitration clause delineates the method for resolving
disputes. - A release of liens clause ensures that you won't be
responsible for liens filed against the contractor by
suppliers or subcontractors.
| This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or any other advice. The reader is encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney or other professional when an opinion is needed. |