Sunday, 11 January 2009

• How to Choose a Contractor

  Ah, the joys of working with contractors… they can't really be described in words, but rather with disgusting sounds.

   

  I heard a story long ago from my friend's neighbor's cat's uncle's wart that there was, once upon a time, one good contractor in the world. And hey, it could even be true that one existed once.

   

  Actually, it is theoretically possible to find a decent contractor, if you ask the right questions.

   

  Question 1: How Big is the Job?

   

  The bigger the job, the better quality contractor you'll need, as a general rule. If you need to lay (I mean install) a new pipe under the bathroom sink, a grizzled, inexpensive but competent handyman will be just fine.

   

  But you just picked up a shell, and need to do a total rehab… time to start interviewing contractors with experience, reputation, and of course, a license.

   

  Question 2: Does the Job Require a Permit?

   

  If your job requires a permit, you'll need a licensed contractor (unless you're going to "do the work yourself" – hint hint). Licensed contractors charge a premium for their license, because it's on the line every time they sign off on a job.

   

  You might as well have the contractor pull the permit(s), as they'll know their way around the permit office much better, but DEMAND COPIES OF EVERY PERMIT THEY PULL!!!!!

   

  Question 3: Where Does the Contractor Do Most of their Work?

   

  All right, sugar coating aside, some contractors are just plain ghetto, and that's where they do most of their work. Other contractors will tell you all about the rainforest hardwood that they personally flew to Costa Rica to harvest with their diamond-studded chainsaw for exclusive use in their personal palace, that they may be willing to make an exception and offer to you.

   

  So make sure the contractor fits the job, whether it's a shack in the 'hood or a mansion in the Hamptons, the contractor should be appropriate to the job. As a final note – actually walk through their current projects with them, so you can see their work firsthand.

   

  Question 4: How Long Have They Been a Contractor? 

   

  Someone who has chosen to make a career (not just a passing job) out of being a contractor will do much better work, period. But they won't tell you straight out how long they've been a contractor, so you have to ask them the roundabout way: "How did you get into contracting?" You'll have a better chance at an honest answer.

   

  Question 5: What Kind of Warranty Do They Offer?

   

  Guess when most people ask this question? AFTER THE HOUSE BREAKS. And while every contractor will tell you they'll come back and fix any problems that pop up, most won't. So get the warranty in writing, keep it, and make sure you have several ways of getting in touch with the contractor in the (likely) event that they dodge your phone calls once they hear you want them to work for free.

   

  Contractors are the hardest group of people you will ever have to work with, so keep a close on them and all of the work that they do for you. Remember that you get what you pay for, so the less they're charging, the closer you have to review their work, and make sure you ask a LOT of questions and personally look at several examples of their work (including work in progress) before hiring them.

  Good luck!

  • 11:22 PM
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