After months of planning, dreaming, and saving, you’re ready to take on a big home improvement project. Home improvement contractors have the experience and skills to help you complete your renovation on time and within budget.
If you’re looking for a home improvement contractor, it’s important to find one who is licensed and insured. This will protect you from a contractor who fails to complete the job or causes damage while working on your home. In addition, if an employee is injured on the job site or your property is damaged, you’ll be protected by worker’s compensation and liability insurance.
The best way to find a home improvement contractor is through word of mouth or by checking references. Ask friends and neighbors which contractors they’ve worked with, and whether or not they were satisfied with the work. Also, check online reviews and Better Business Bureau complaints to see what others have had to say about a particular contractor.
It’s also a good idea to get everything in writing. That includes the contract, a detailed breakdown of costs, and the timeline for the project. State law requires that all home improvement contracts over $1,000 must be in writing. If a contractor fails to follow this requirement, they can be fined or have their registration suspended or revoked. The Office of Consumer Affairs has a complaint procedure that entails holding hearings on individual consumer complaints and taking enforcement action against home improvement contractors who violate the registration law.