- Ask if they’re licensed and insured. Ask for their license number and to have a copy of both their liability and workman’s compensation insurance.
- Ask if they subcontract out any of their work. If they answer yes, ask if you can have a list of the companies they work with. You want to be sure that anyone working at your house has current insurance policies. In case someone gets hurt on your project, you want to be sure you’re not held responsible.
- Ask if they warranty on their work. If so, make sure to know what it includes and how long it is for. Companies that stand behind their work should have no problem warrantying it.
- If a company requires a deposit, (most do) it is advised to make a deposit on a credit card. This will protect you if the contractor decides to go out of business or doesn’t communicate expectations correctly.
- Be courteous to the person coming to your house. Going door to door meeting with strangers can be a difficult job sometimes, especially if people aren’t friendly and/or rude.
- Don’t be pressured to sign a contract on the spot. It’s okay to be wary of any “one time deals” that the representative may offer. They should respect if you want to take time to think about their estimate, discuss it with your spouse, or get any additional quotes. It should not affect any pricing they give you.
- Go with your gut. If you don’t feel comfortable with a company, chances are there is a reason you feel that way.
- If a representative is being honest or telling you something you may not want to hear, respect that they’re not just telling you what you want to hear to sell a job. This shows that they care more about the integrity of their company than the number of jobs sold.
