Carlos in Your Corner, 2/11/2012 on Property Source Radio.
by Carlos Rodriguez, Former NYS Assistant Attorney General
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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO/KNOW BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR?
►RESEARCH & MAKE A DETAILED LIST OF ALL WORK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE DONE BY CONTRACTOR.
►OBTAIN AT LEAST THREE WRITTEN ESTIMATES FROM RELIABLE CONTRACTORS./ CHECK REFERENCES PROVIDED BY CONTRACTOR.
►OBTAIN PROOF OF CONTRACTOR’S BANK ESCROW ACCOUNT & INSURANCE COVERAGE FROM CONTRACTOR.[ WORKER’S COMP./LIABILITY ETC.]
►INVESTIGATE WHAT BUILDING PERMITS/OTHER APPROVALS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE WORK BEGINS.
►GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING.-CONTRACTORS MUST PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH REQUIRED DISCLOSURES IF CONTRACT IS OVER $500. The contract must be signed by the contractor and consumer.
►NEVER PAY FULL AMOUNT UP FRONT-KNOW WHERE YOUR PAYMENTS ARE GOING-DON’T MAKE FINAL PAYMENT UNTIL WORK IS COMPLETED AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE WORK PERFORMED.
►MAKE SURE THAT THE PROMISES MADE BY THE CONTRACTOR ARE STATED AND EXPLAINED IN THE WRITTEN CONTRACT.
►MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACT CONTAINS A STATEMENT OF THE ANTICIPATED START DATE AND COMPLETION DATE OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT.
►BE CAREFUL OF MODIFICATION OF WORK/ COSTS AFTER THE ORIGINAL CONTARACT IS SIGNED. Contractor should provide a complete estimate of the work required/ costs in order to complete the work at the time the original contract is signed.
Remember that hiring a good contractor involves doing your homework first. Never agree to terms in a contract which are ambiguous or excessive.