| 8. |
Thoroughly check
references. Before hiring
a company for a major project such as
remodeling, interview many of the company’s
references. When talking with references,
ask tough questions about quality, schedule
adherence, cleanup, communication, and
disagreement resolution. |
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| 9. |
Only compare apples
to apples. Some companies
knowingly deliver low quality at a low price. However, in
sales calls, these companies do not stress the low quality as much
as the low price. If you are a bargain hunter who will not
take the time to educate yourself about what you are buying, you may
well overpay by taking the lowest price. Always get the
details in writing when comparing companies. |
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| 10. | Compare prices.
Since prices for the same work
can vary, we strongly recommend that you get multiple estimates. As outlined in our research
methodology, Home Reports rates
companies on the quality of the work and service delivered, not on
price. |
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| 11. | Avoid business on a
handshake. If a company
representative or an individual claims his or her handshake is as
good as a contract, it probably is not. Reputable companies
that sell large-ticket items insist on contracts. |
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| 12. |
Avoid large, up-front
payments. Beware of scams, and
always assume the worst. If you make
a large, up-front payment to a company
that promptly goes out of business or skips
town, you are out the money. If an up-front
payment is unavoidable, consider charging
the payment to a credit card. If anything
were to happen, your credit card company
may be able to help. |
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| 13. |
Never open an account
at a local store in your name for a contractor. Some individuals or contractors request an
account at a local store in the homeowner’s name to allow the
contractor to charge the homeowner’s materials directly to this
account. However, after opening the account, some homeowners
later found that tools and other unknown items, as well as materials
for other jobs, had been charged to the account. If a
contractor’s credit is not good enough to warrant an open account at
the local store, the underlying reason for the poor credit is
probably a good reason to stay away. |
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14. |
Do not lend tools to the people you hire. Many homeowners reported contractors and technicians who failed to bring the required tools with them. Unfortunately, many of the homeowners who lent their tools to the contractor or technician later found that the tools were not returned. Additionally, if you lend a tool to a contractor and that tool injures the contractor, the contractor may be able to make a tort claim against you. Click here for more information on liability issues. |
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