Finding the Right Contractor

Front Page Image: 

When seeking a contractor for big or little jobs around the house, a little work at the beginning will save a lot of heartache in the end.

Margaret thought she’d found the perfect person to help her with some projects around the house.

The 80-year-old woman met a young handyman who was going door-to-door in her neighborhood offering to perform home improvements for a low fee. He claimed to have leftover materials from a previous job and could offer her a cut-rate.

The polite and clean-cut young man seemed pleasant enough, so Margaret agreed. After he looked at the job, the handyman said he needed some money to buy new products and would be right back to finish the job. He never returned.

“I was embarrassed that I’d made such a poor decision,” Margaret says. “I can’t believe I fell for such a scam.”

Despite her humiliation, Margaret was lucky. She could have potentially been in physical danger. To avoid embarrassments and such dangers in the future, experts advise seniors like Margaret to start their search for a handyman or contractor by talking to friends and family.

In fact, getting advice from friends and family should be the first step in any project, especially when looking for someone who is going to work around the home. Find out who they would advise, if they were satisfied, what was the price and how long the project took. And, probably most important, would they use that contractor again.

If your friends and family can’t help, ask at the local hardware and home improvement store. They should be able to recommend professional contractors.

Once you have a list of possible contractors, do some basic research on your own. The Better Business Bureau and Consumer Protection Office can help you find out if there have been any complaints filed against contractors or their company. You also may want to make sure the contractors are licensed in your state.

After  you’ve narrowed down your list, make sure the contractors do the kind of work you need done, ask for proof that they are licensed, bonded and covered by workman’s compensation and liability insurance. Get references and check them. This may seem like a lot work, but a little phone or Internet work at the beginning will help you avoid a lot of problems later.

When you have three possible contractors, meet with them and ask for detailed estimates, including materials to be used, labor charges, the start and end dates and the total cost. Also, make sure to get the estimates in writing. It is very important to get a detailed contract that both parties agree to before work begins. If there is something you don’t understand, be sure to ask for clarification. Never sign any contract with blank spots. Make sure everything is filled in.

Take your time when making a decision and get a second opinion from someone your trust. Legally, you can cancel a contract within three business days by sending a letter to the contractor.

Finally, don’t pay for the project until it is completed to your approval and the local authorities have inspected the work. You also should get a written statement saying that the contractor has paid all of the subcontractors and suppliers.