Homeowners tips for hiring a contractor in New Jersey

HOMEOWNER TIPS FOR SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

1. Ask for a copy of a current insurance policy, and be sure it is liability AND Worker’s comp Insurance - Protect yourself and your home!
2. Ask for at least 10 references, and check all of them, or as many as you can! (Contractors can fake a few references)
3. Ask if their work was done in a timely manner. Did the worker’s keep the jobsite neat and clean? Were they courteous? Was the work done to their specification and to their complete satisfaction?  Was the price fair for the quality, and timeliness of the work?
4. Get a copy of their labor warranty. Typical is one year. We offer 10 years in writing! Materials will carry a specific warranty from each individual manufacturer.
5. Be careful when it comes to the payment schedule. Never give a contractor too much money up front. Ask for a detailed payment schedule, and negotiate one that you’re comfortable with. As a rule of thumb, larger deposits are only appropriate when there are special order items involved. (i.e. kitchen cabinets, custom windows)
6. Make certain that progress payments are tied to specific and measurable points throughout the job, so you never advance too much money to the contractor. Never agree to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 on large jobs. The more payments the better. The best theory is to pay in stages, as the work is performed! Never give any final payments unless all of the work is completely finished to your satisfaction!
7. Always get a detailed written agreement, which should include, a detailed scope of work, a detailed payment schedule, tied to specific progress points, start and completion dates, insurance information for the contractor and subs, (if they use subs) warranty information, and right of recision forms.

         PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS – ALWAYS DEAL WITH REPUTABLE PEOPLE