Contractor: Types Of Contractors
By Ruby J Nowell
Checking out kitchen contractors doesn't have to be a dreaded job when considering the investment you are making in your home through renovation. Investing a little time in the investigating of contractors will give you peace of mind, confidence in your contractor and the expected end. There are a few helpful steps to get you started and erase uncertainty and doubt from your mind. Sleeping well at night is an added bonus!
Home improvement fraud ranks as one of the top 5 complaints with the Attorney General's Office year after year. Just being informed can protect you or people you know from being conned by a contractor. Asking the contractor the "right" questions gives you a piece of mind that is priceless.
Be sure to check out their credentials through research of the recommended contractors. Make sure the contractors hold all the required licenses he needs to get the job done such as licenses from the state and local municipalities as well as designations from any professional associations...
For this fee the contractor does all the managing and scheduling of the subs. He also pays, provides supervision of the construction, provides dumpsters, port-a-john, insurance and other miscellaneous things involved in the construction project. The contractors make money by charging for labor and by marking up the materials. The general contractor is referred to the generalist and the subs are the specialist.
Whenever you need just a specific thing fixed in your home you would always hire a specialist. A specialist would be for an example a plumber or electrician. When hiring someone for maintenance task some people just hire a guy with a magnet advertising on the side of his truck but in reality he is not licensed at all. This could be people like gutter cleaners, painters or lawncare.
In general, most contractors are competent, honest, hard-working, financially responsible, and licensed. First of all keep all your plans with accurate details for the contractor that will enable him to price out the work and cost. Always shop around and get at least three bids from licensed contractors. Ask to see the contractors license and make sure the bids have his license number on it. Check their standing with the State license board before you sign the contract or allow work to begin.
It's usually easy to tell the unlicensed contractors or scam artist or possibly someone who is just trying to get in your home. Use wisdom and do your homework to avoid the following pitfalls.
1. Unlicensed contractors often go door-to-door claiming they "just finished a job down the street and we're in the neighborhood and noticed your roof needs patching." 2. They may rush you and twist their words stating, "If you act now, you'll get a special price." 3. Unlicensed contractors either neglect to pull construction permits or they ask you to do it for them. If you do this, you are assuming liability for the project as well as the contractor's mistakes. 4. Some states require contractors to list their license numbers on their vehicles, their estimates and their advertising. If a contractor has not done that, this is usually a bad sign. 5. If you see a license number in an ad, and it has a different number of letters, numerals and digits than all the other licenses, this probably means it is a bogus license number. 6. Be wary if a contractor provides only a PO box or cell number. That may mean he does not have credibility in the community and could skip town when people start to complain. 7. Unlicensed contractors often ask for a lot of money up front if not the whole amount. Consider this a red flag and try not to pay any money in advance. If you must, keep the amount to a minimum.
Information supplied and written by Ruby J Nowell is the owner of the site about Kitchen Remodel. Articles,News,Resources and Video about Know Your Kitchen Contractors Credentials
This and other unique content Contractor articles are available with free reprint rights.
