Tips to Hire Knowledgeable and Trustworthy Home Improvement Contractor

This year’s wild weather caused thousands of dollars in damages to homes across the nation. Repairs will be needed for leaky roofs, down gutters and soggy drywall making now a great time for homeowners to become knowledgeable on best practices to avoid home improvement fraud.

Here are several tips for homeowners looking to hire a knowledgeable and trustworthy home improvement contractor:

  • Don’t pay in full up front. Only make a final payment when the work is completed.
  • A written contract is your right as a consumer. Always obtain a written proposal, including a cost estimate.
  • Seek proof of your contractor’s license and insurance. You are well within your right as a consumer to insist on seeing proof that your potential contractor is legally operational.
  • Obtain recommendations. Use established and well-recommended contractors. Consider how long the company has been in business and how many service and installation technicians they have at their disposal.
  • An award-winning company is more trustworthy. A company that has won industry awards is confident enough to be in the spotlight. If the company welcomes the scrutiny that comes with an award selection process, it is likely they have upstanding business practices.
  • Research your contractor with a consumer-friendly third party. Check out the company with your city or county, or opt for a contractor who is affiliated with the Better Business Bureau or local Chambers. Researching the company online is also a cost effective way to gather background information.
  • Consider the company’s hiring policies. Do they drug test and background check employees before hiring them-and continue random tests?
  • Plan for emergencies. It is important to know that the company is available nights and weekends with customer service representatives and technicians to handle any service calls or emergencies.