Anyone who hires another to do maintenance or repair work on their home has the right to expect that they will receive quality results. There is always some level of risk involved in this type of venture. To make the experience a bit safer and smoother, there are certain things a homeowner should expect from an Alpharetta roofer.
Hiring a freelancing individual to do such important work on one's home may sound like a way to save money, but it can be very risky. This approach offers the homeowner no assurances against substandard craftsmanship or other types of fraud. The safest option is almost always to choose to deal with properly licensed contractors.
Being certified by the state means that the company must adhere to specific regulations and performance standards which offer the client some protection. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all permits and licenses required for the job. The homeowner is then better guarded against insurance issues or local ordinance violations.
State certified contractors should be able to provide their clients with all applicable licenses and credentials, as well as their Federal Tax ID number for verification purposes. They should also be able to produce proof that they carry active insurance policies for workers' compensation and general liability. These offer protection against any damages or injuries that may happen during the course of the job.
A very detailed written estimate of all aspects of the project should be presented by all contractors prior to the homeowner hiring anyone. The document typically includes a carefully itemized breakdown of factors and costs like necessary materials, permits, man hours, length of project, insurance information, payment schedules, safety, clean up and disposal protocols. A critical analysis of all specifics is advised as a low bid is not always representative of a good deal.
Before signing their name to any contract, homeowners are best advised to carefully review every specification of the document. One should verify that all aspects of the estimate are included as well as some sort of guarantee that the final cost will fall within a set amount of what was bid. If any oral promises were made by the contractor, make sure these are also written into the deal.
Warranties for both materials used and the work performed need to be expressly spelled out in the contractual agreement. If the homeowner feels any apprehension at all, it would be advisable to have the paperwork reviewed by an attorney before signing. Be cautious of anyone requesting more than a third of the payment up front or spending that seems extreme.
Hiring a freelancing individual to do such important work on one's home may sound like a way to save money, but it can be very risky. This approach offers the homeowner no assurances against substandard craftsmanship or other types of fraud. The safest option is almost always to choose to deal with properly licensed contractors.
Being certified by the state means that the company must adhere to specific regulations and performance standards which offer the client some protection. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all permits and licenses required for the job. The homeowner is then better guarded against insurance issues or local ordinance violations.
State certified contractors should be able to provide their clients with all applicable licenses and credentials, as well as their Federal Tax ID number for verification purposes. They should also be able to produce proof that they carry active insurance policies for workers' compensation and general liability. These offer protection against any damages or injuries that may happen during the course of the job.
A very detailed written estimate of all aspects of the project should be presented by all contractors prior to the homeowner hiring anyone. The document typically includes a carefully itemized breakdown of factors and costs like necessary materials, permits, man hours, length of project, insurance information, payment schedules, safety, clean up and disposal protocols. A critical analysis of all specifics is advised as a low bid is not always representative of a good deal.
Before signing their name to any contract, homeowners are best advised to carefully review every specification of the document. One should verify that all aspects of the estimate are included as well as some sort of guarantee that the final cost will fall within a set amount of what was bid. If any oral promises were made by the contractor, make sure these are also written into the deal.
Warranties for both materials used and the work performed need to be expressly spelled out in the contractual agreement. If the homeowner feels any apprehension at all, it would be advisable to have the paperwork reviewed by an attorney before signing. Be cautious of anyone requesting more than a third of the payment up front or spending that seems extreme.
About the Author:
Andrew B. Spates is a home improvement specialist who helps individual homeowners make the right choices to protect their home investment. If you are interested in learning more about Need a Roofer, Alpharetta GA he recommends you check out www.mrrooferatlanta.com.