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San Diego real estate library
Finding A Reliable Contractor
Home repair, kitchen renovation and development is a process you
may not be familiar with until it becomes time to tackle a
project on your home. All homeowners at some point will need to
have some type of work done. Finding the right contractor to
renovate your kitchen can be stressful, challenging and
sometimes a very pricey experience.
Home improvement fraud ranks as one of the top 5 grievances with
the Attorney General's Office year after year. Just being
educated 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.
There's a lot to learn about which products to use and what
procedures best meet your individual needs. Because of this lack
of knowledge, homeowners can easily be taken advantage of by
people calling themselves home improvement contractors.
Therefore, it's absolutely vital to know that you can rely on
the contractor you choose to give you good advice about those
products and procedures that may be new to you. Being able to
trust your contractor with your vision may not always prove
easy. The key is to find the right contractor for your
renovation from the beginning. Determining the reliability,
reputation and experience of the contractor may take some time
but will be time well spent!
Hiring an unlicensed contractor is inadvisable. When his bid
comes under the others for your renovation your thrilled, but
when the work is done you discover average materials and shabby
workmanship. Then of course the contractor is nowhere to be
found and you discover why; unlicensed. You also discover you
can be held reliable for on the job injuries or insurance. Not
complying with city or county codes and correcting problems are
all your responsibility when not dealing with a licensed
contractor. You can even be held for his illegal acts. Hiring an
unlicensed contractor is risky business to say the least.
Licensed contractors however, are subject to laws designed to
protect both you and your investment against empty promises and
careless construction.
Generally, 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. Be sure to check the contractors references that you have
gotten in writing. Call the people and see if they were
satisfied with the work or drive out and examine their work. Get
everything in writing with all changes to be signed by you.
Understand what your signing and make sure everything you have
requested be in the contract. No rushing on the signing of the
contract especially if you are not sure about something on the
contract.
Make frequent inspections of your project and have a final walk
through. Pay directly to the contractor only.
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