Taking The Stress out of Choosing a Contractor

Choosing a contractor can be a stressful task, and choosing the wrong one can be disastrous. Many homeowners in New York recently learned just how disastrous, and their misfortunes should be considered a lesson for everyone to do our research when choosing a home improvement contractor.

A good place to start your research is the BBB. Contractors, and other businesses, are rated on a scale from A+ to F- based on complaints received and how they are handled, years in business, insurance, and licensing.

Also ensure that any contractors you consider are properly insured and licensed and maintain Workers' Compensation coverage. This is very important in the case that a worker is injured while working on your job.

More important research that you can perform to ensure you are choosing the right contractor includes getting references. The internet can be very helpful in this case, with Google being a popular place for company reviews. Asking neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers for references an also help.

Remember that if a deal sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Don't hire a contractor who will only accept cash, does not have a physical address, or expects full payment up front. If you don't feel comfortable with a deal, don't accept it. Once you choose a contractor, be sure to get all details of your job in writing to avoid any and all confusion.

If you follow your gut and do your research, a home improvement job is going to be much less stressful because you know you can fully trust the workers you hire.

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Stefanie works social media and marketing at St. Louis Gutter & Siding, Inc., the oldest and most experienced gutter company in the St. Louis metro area.