Hire Licensed & Insured Contractors for Building or Remodeling
In the state of Michigan, contractors who do more than $600 worth of work on a property must be licensed. There are some serious consequences for home owners and contracters alike when work is done by an unlicensed contractor. To check a license visit this State of Michigan official website.
Homeowners: Hiring an unlicensed contractor is usually more expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Unlicensed contractors do not know the proper procedures and techniques. Homeowners find themselves looking for someone to fix a job that has gone wrong. Satisfaction can be hard to gain when dealing with unlicensed contractors. The Department of Licensing and Regulation can only prosecute them for not being licensed, and they are not members of professional organizations which have the power to influence and educate them. Unlicensed contractors often do not finish the job. When you are selecting a contractor for home improvements, be sure to do the following steps:
1. Ask the contractor for proof of worker's compensation and general liability insurance; in case of an accident, the homeowner, not the contractor, could be liable if the contractor does not carry insurance.
2. Be skeptical of an unlicensed low bidder, or any very low advertised price. If a contractor cannot pay for materials, labor or overhead, you are both in trouble.
3. No two remodelers will do a job exactly the same way. Be as specific as possible and ask the contractor to specify the materials and brand names on which they are basing their quote.
4. Ask the contractor to furnish you with names of previous customers, and follow up on them. Would they be willing to hire this contractor again? How long ago was the job done? Have they done a job similar to that of which you are asking? Are they qualified?
5. Don't ever pull the building permit for any contractor, because then the responsibility for the job is yours. It is important for you to verify that your builder has the licenses and permits required to build in your city or township, and is properly insured according to Michigan's regulations.
For more Home Improvement information and a comprehensive listing of building contractors visit our Home And Garden Living website.
Homeowners: Hiring an unlicensed contractor is usually more expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Unlicensed contractors do not know the proper procedures and techniques. Homeowners find themselves looking for someone to fix a job that has gone wrong. Satisfaction can be hard to gain when dealing with unlicensed contractors. The Department of Licensing and Regulation can only prosecute them for not being licensed, and they are not members of professional organizations which have the power to influence and educate them. Unlicensed contractors often do not finish the job. When you are selecting a contractor for home improvements, be sure to do the following steps:
Advertisement
1. Ask the contractor for proof of worker's compensation and general liability insurance; in case of an accident, the homeowner, not the contractor, could be liable if the contractor does not carry insurance.
2. Be skeptical of an unlicensed low bidder, or any very low advertised price. If a contractor cannot pay for materials, labor or overhead, you are both in trouble.
3. No two remodelers will do a job exactly the same way. Be as specific as possible and ask the contractor to specify the materials and brand names on which they are basing their quote.
Advertisement
4. Ask the contractor to furnish you with names of previous customers, and follow up on them. Would they be willing to hire this contractor again? How long ago was the job done? Have they done a job similar to that of which you are asking? Are they qualified?
5. Don't ever pull the building permit for any contractor, because then the responsibility for the job is yours. It is important for you to verify that your builder has the licenses and permits required to build in your city or township, and is properly insured according to Michigan's regulations.
Find a Local Building Contractor Here
Advertisement
Be sure you feel comfortable with the building contractor you select, since you will be in close proximity with them and their crew until the project is completed. A good contractor will want you to do your homework before you sign the contract. In fact, since so much of a remodeler's business comes from referrals, a good builder will do everything they can ensure that the job will reflect well on their company. A full listing of licensed contractors who are members of the Home Builders Association of West Michigan, Inc. is available by contacting the Association at 845-0999 or 1-800-430-5159 or by visiting this Home Builders Association of West Michigan webpage.For more Home Improvement information and a comprehensive listing of building contractors visit our Home And Garden Living website.
Advertisement