Frequently Asked Questions
Hiring A Contractor
Hopefully the information in this section, you already know. If not, it’s important to educate yourself about what things are important to know and why.
The most obvious of course is He or she licensed? An unlicensed contractor is your worst nightmare. There is a reason they don’t have a license. If you hire an unlicensed contractor and issues arise, you have little or no recourse.
Is the contractor in good standing with the Contractors State License Board? It is possible for a contractor to have had disputes with customers and notes to that effect on their license information. This does not mean the contractor is not upstanding and honest, it just means you need to investigate what those disputes were and how they were handled.
Next is your contractor insured? While liability insurance is not a legal mandate in California, any reputable contractor would have it in order to protect themselves and especially the homeowner/property owner, incase of personal injury issues etc. It’s just good business.
Does your contractor have employees? If they do, they are required by law to have workers compensation insurance and you should ask for a certificate of insurance to that effect. It is very common in the industry to find contractors skirting the law in this area.
Have you checked references? Make it a point to contact “recent” customers. If you have specific concerns about your project ask these references how the contractor performed in your areas of concern. Depending on your project, you may want to view these other jobsites.
Is the contractor a member of NARI, NKBA or REPUTABLE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS? These associations hold their member to a higher standard, promote education and fair practice.
Links & Resources
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