What Should Homeowners Be Looking For In A Contractor? It’s best to employ a home improvement contractor with an established business in your area. Local firms can be checked through references from past customers in your community or through your local better business bureau. Local remodelers are compelled to perform quality work that satisfies their customers for their business to survive. Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed and or bonded. Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor meets all requirements. Ask the remodeling contractor for a current copy of their license. You can also check with the government Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau to ensure there is no complaints on record for the contractor. Ask to see a copy of the remodeling contractor's certification of insurance for the name of his or her insurance agency to verify coverage. Most states require a contractor to carry worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability insurance. Make sure the contractor's insurance coverage meets all the minimum requirements.
What Does It Mean To Be Licensed, Bonded And Insured? In order to be licensed, a state agency must legally recognize your business as an entity. A Tax License is the other important privilege a company, or contractor, must have in order to ensure that they are capable of paying their required taxes. Bonding is another form of protection for the homeowner. Essentially, bonding gives homeowners the opportunity to be reimbursed for poor workmanship or non-performance by a licensed contractor. Insurance for contractors works much like car insurance…if there is an accident they will have the money from an insurance company to fix it. What is important to know is that just because a contractor says they are insured doesn’t mean they have every type of insurance they should, and/or proper limits. One way to cut your research time and feel confident about the contractor you hire is by going through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
What Exactly Is The National Association Of The Remodeling Industry? The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. NARI's goal is to help homeowners find the right professional partner to do their remodeling. NARI wants each homeowner to get the maximum value and enjoyment for the dollars they invest in their remodeling. Ask your remodeling contractor if their company is a member of NARI, or you can find reliable contractors through the NARI website, NARI.ORG.
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