How to Select and Pre-screen a Home Improvement Contractor.
-
Upload
samuel-butler -
Category
Documents
-
view
240 -
download
0
Transcript of How to Select and Pre-screen a Home Improvement Contractor.
Goal• Assisting senior citizens to remain safe and
independent as they choose to stay in their homes
• Help find and pre-screen contractors that;
• provide basic home renovations
• maintenance
• adaptive services
How to find a contractor
1) check with your local Chamber of Commerce
2) check with the Better Business Bureau
3) check with friends and relatives for personal contractor recommendations
Step 2When interviewing a contractor follow these
steps
• Contact at least three contractors
• Communicate your ideas
• Get written estimates
Step 3Contractor check list
• Contractors must be registered with The Attorney General’s Office as a Home Improvement Contractor
• Must have the appropriate Contractor’s Supervisors License for the work to be done: Issued by the Department of Public Safety
• Always ask for:
• 1) Copies of the contractors Construction Supervisors License
• 2) HIC (home improvement contractor) registration
• 3) Insurance affidavits
Step 3 continued
• Check to make sure the information given is valid
• Check for complaints against contractor: by contacting the following agencies
• The Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Home Improvement: www.mass.gov/ocabr/comsumer-rights-and-resources/home-improvement-contract
• DPS Construction Supervisor License Look-Up: www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/dps-license-lookup.html
• Better Business Bureau www.boston.bbb.org/business
Step 4• Always ask for and call references
• Ask to see past work
• Be wary of contractor’s bid who seem too low or too high
• Always ask to explain his or her bid
• Never hire anyone with whom you feel uncomfortable
Step 5
• Contractors must have the appropriate Insurance coverages (you want to protect your assets)
• Workman’s compensation policy for their employees
• Personal liability insurance
Step 6Any work over $1,000 requires a contract between
the property owner and the contractor
• The contract should have at least:
• The Contractors HIC Registration Number & registered business name
• Total Price of project
• Detailed description of the work to be performed
• Detailed payment schedule
• Signatures and dates of both parties involved
• All change orders that modify the contract must be written and signed by both parties
Step 7• Under Mass General Law 142A
section 2: “Contractors are required to apply for all building permits which are subject to The Home Improvement Registration Law”
• A contractor must apply for and receive a building permit before any work begins.
• Contractor should not be asking Homeowners to apply for building permits in there own name.
Step 8 Tips on payment terms
• Contractors cannot demand more then 1/3 of the contract price as a deposit unless the project involves a special order or custom made material
• Avoid situations where payment exceeds the work performed, structure payments with performance benchmarks
• Contractors cannot require the final payment before the project is completed to your satisfaction
• Make sure your local Building Department has signed off on your project before making final payment
Step 9• Maintain a folder to hold all documentation regarding your project
• Notes
• Phone conversations with dates
• Payments
• Change orders
• Photographs
• All communication
Step 10
• If you have a question or a problem with a contractor:
• The Attorney General’s Office oversees local consumer groups who may be able help resolve disputes between you and the contractor without any addition cost to you.
• Call the Elder Consumer Hotline at 888-243-5337 to see if you qualify for mediation or arbitration