Tips for Choosing a Contractor
·
Ask
for a copy of the contractor’s current insurance certificates.
·
Check
the contractor’s
·
Check
the contractor’s license with the Fairfax
County Division of Public Works and Environmental Services.
·
Consider
joining Angies List, a contractor referral service that rates local contractors
based upon customer experience. There is
a fee to join, but it might be a worthwhile investment. Visit www.angieslist.com
and choose
·
Check
the contractor’s complaint record with the
Fairfax
County Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection.
·
Contact
the local Better Business Bureau. The
BBB tracks many businesses, not just BBB members. Not being a member is not necessarily bad, but
being a BBB member is better because the business has promised to abide by the
BBB Code of Ethics and resolve disputes using BBB sanctioned arbitration
procedures.
·
See if the Washington Consumers Checkbook magazine has an
article about the project you are planning.
This quarterly magazine is a DC version of Consumer Reports
Magazine. It rates local businesses in a
variety of areas, including quality of service and price. Highly recommended! If you can't subscribe (but please do, as it
supports a great organization), you can read it at the local library.
·
Ask
for customer references, particularly from those who have had projects similar
to yours, and are neighbors. If
possible, inspect the work performed by the contractor. Ask the reference if they are a friend of or
affiliated with the contractor in any way.
Ask the reference if they remember the names of the employees who worked
on their home; if they were satisfied, ask the contractor that that those individuals be specified in your contact.
·
Get
written estimates from several contractors.
Be sure to specify the work you want done and the materials to be used
so that the estimates are comparable.
·
Insist
on a written contract, as required by the Fairfax County Home Improvement Code
and Virginia state regulations, and make sure that it includes all agreements
regarding the work to be done and materials to be used.
·
Be
sure the contract specifies that you will be furnished with a signed mechanic’s
lien waiver or release from suppliers of materials or subcontractors. In the
event that a contractor does not pay a subcontractor or supplier, state law
provides that those working on the improvement project may obtain a lien against
the property. Without a lien waiver, if
your contractor fails to pay a subcontractor or supplier, you could be liable
for the debt.
(Kirk
Randall Revised 2/9/09)
Choosing
a Contractor.htm