Homeowner tips when hiring a professional contractor Summer is upon us, and we are spending more time outside. While soaking up that essential Vitamin D, we stroll through our yards and take note of many things: which perennials have returned, which trees need trimming, there are driveways to reseal, siding to pressure wash, and gutters to replace. There’s always work to be done, and curb appeal is an important element to many, especially when getting ready to buy or sell a home. There are some projects we can tackle ourselves, but (setting our egos aside) there are some jobs that we need to hire a professional for. There are several factors that help a homeowner decide which contractor to hire, such as job scheduling and cost, but there are more important factors that many people overlook when hiring. When getting an estimate for your project, here are some things to consider:
Guest Commentary By Carrie Poff
Executive Summary: A local contractor shares advice for homeowners when having work done onsite.
1) Get several estimates, but don’t always pick the cheapest. You get what you pay for. A higher cost is associated with higher overhead, which covers proper insurance, employee benefits, salaries and wages, regular maintenance on vehicles and equipment, a business license, and experience. 2) Don’t pay until the job is complete. Often times, this is how people get swindled. In the winter months it may be more common to get this request as the workload is less and companies have a more difficult time making ends meet. Still and yet, it’s okay to tell whomever you hire that you’re not comfortable paying until the job is done to your satisfaction. 3) Always request a Certificate of Insurance. Did you know that in Virginia, a company that has three or more employees is required to carry workers compensation? It’s okay to ask how many employees the contractor has, and to always request this proof. If you hire a company that doesn’t have the proper insurances in place and damage occurs to either people or personal property, the liability can fall on you. Protect yourself. 4) Hire locally. If you need more work done in the future or if a problem arises, they will be easier to work with. 5) Manage yard debris. If having yardwork done, please know that companies can’t leave vegetation debris on the curb. You, as the homeowner, are allowed to move said debris to the curb, but your municipality has the
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t AUGUST 2023 / vbFRONT.com
