Choosing the right contractor
Here are some questions you should be asking of any company giving you a proposal:
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What is the full name and address of the company? A cell phone number and a P.O. box may be a sign of a contractor not planning to be around for the long haul.
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Does the company carry liability and workers compensation insurance? Ask to have a current certificate sent to you by the insurance company prior to work being started. If that company uses subcontractors, on or the other must still carry a workers compensation policy.
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Is the company licensed to do the work being proposed? Any home improvement in Michigan that is over $600 requires the proper license. Ask for a copy. Don’t rely on ads that simply state, “Licensed and Insured”.
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Is the company credentialed? Professional contractors will want to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. They will have taken the time and the steps to be recognized in the industry through education, certification and awards.
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What kind of experience and financial stability does the company have? Somebody just starting out might not be able to secure open lines of credit with suppliers and therefore rely on you for a large down payment to fund the project.
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Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs? Ask for photos and addresses of past jobs. Are there any with similar colors or designs?
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What is the company’s workmanship warranty? This will tell you whether or not a company will stand behind its work. You should not have to guess what is covered. A good warranty will be in writing and easily understood.
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What is the company’s track record in solving customer complaints? If a problem comes up during or after the job, you want to know it will be handled. A good indicator is to see how the company has handled complaints in the past. You can get access to this information from the websites of the Better Business Bureau as well as Michigan.gov. There you will find the types of complaints filed and their current status.
Planning before the estimate
We understand that before we even arrive to the estimate, you already have an idea and image in your mind of how your project will go. Because we want to share in that vision and make those ideas a reality, we encourage your input from the beginning. We have found the best way to do that is through planning and communication on both sides. So to help guide us through the process, here are a few tips you might find helpful before we come out to give you the estimate:
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Visit some websites. We have provided links from our site to some of the leading manufacturers in the industry.
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Study your neighborhood. Chances are that other homes in the area will be of similar design to yours. What do you like and dislike about the homes around you?
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Start to develop your budget. You don’t have to get specific right now, but know what you have to work with. Then list as many reasons as you can for doing the project in order of importance to you. Later this will help you cut out any unnecessary items if you start to approach your limits.
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Develop a list of questions and concerns. It’s your project. If you have rules, now is a good time to discuss them.
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Call. If you have questions before the appointment, ask them.
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When it comes time for the estimate, get a blank pad of paper and a pencil and let’s get planning.