If you have never had repairs done on your home before, hiring a contractor can be daunting. There are many things you need to pay close attention to in order to find the best contractor for you. However, in the hustle and bustle of hiring someone, many people make mistakes and hire the wrong contractor. This can be a costly mistake. Here are three huge mistakes that you should avoid making when hiring a contractor to make repairs to your home.
Hiring a Professional Who Isn’t Insured
When you go to hire a contractor to make repairs to your home, it is very important to ask if they are insured and to verify that they are indeed insured. There are two reasons why this is extremely important.
The first reason to verify contractor insurance is because they can come after you if they injure themselves working on your home and they aren’t insured. For example, if they fall off of your roof, and are not insured, they will be able to sue you or file a claim against your homeowners insurance.
The second reason why it is important to make sure a contractor is insured is because their insurance protects your home if they do something that damages your home. For example, if they are repairing something in your bathroom and hit a pipe, causing the space to flood, their insurance will cover the water damage. If they don’t have insurance, you may have to cover that damage. Always make sure the amount they are insured for covers the full value of your home.
Hiring a Professional Who Isn’t Licensed
Another important factor to consider when hiring a contractor is whether or not they are licensed. Unlicensed contractors are often cheaper. However, they have not had to prove their skills to anyone. A licensed contractor has to undergo testing to ensure they know how to properly make repairs and keep everything up to code. Spending a little bit of money on a licensed contractor can be the difference between correct repairs that last and shoddy repairs that have to be redone.
You can check a contractor’s license number here.
Hiring Someone Without Getting Bids From Multiple Companies
The last major mistake that people make when hiring contractors is hiring one without getting bids from multiple companies or contractors. It is recommended you always get bids from at least three different companies when having home repairs done.
Getting bids from multiple companies helps you find a company that is fairly priced. You should be wary of companies who have significantly lower prices than other companies, as they may be using unlicensed contractors, less than quality products, or may try to charge you for expenses later down the road. Likewise, you should be wary of companies who have bids that are much higher than their competitors. Getting multiple bids may take a bit more time, but it will help you find a contractor who is reasonably priced.
Make The Best Choice That Will Not Cost You More Later
If you need repairs done to your home, you may be in a hurry to get started. However, instead of rushing, take your time to find the right contractor. A great contractor will be licensed, insured and competitively-priced. If you rush, you may hire the wrong contractor for you, which could end up costing you.
