Hiring a Building or Remodeling Contractor
Your home is your most valuable asset. Being proactive and well-prepared when it comes to hiring a Building or Remodeling Contractor, as with any other type of contractor, can only enhance your possibilities of having a positive experience, all the way around. Most contractors are reputable. The reputable ones far out number the non-reputable ones. Since it is our goal to help you attain the very best results in choosing the best contractors for YOU, we have put together the following information to take into account when considering a Building or Remodeling Contractor.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry regulates and licenses certain industries which include Residential Builders and Remodelers.
Residential Building Contractors and Remodelers are required to be licensed to work in the state of Minnesota. In order to become licensed, these professionals must pass an extensive exam given by the state.
The Service Guide has verified licenses, bonds, and insurances from each of our businesses. However, if you still would like your own peace of mind, we strongly recommend you follow any and all of these tips!
Never sign anything presented by a contractor before you have made your final hiring decisions, and especially before you have read everything fully! In many cases, signing something can be considered binding, despite what a contractor tells you or believes. So, hold off on signing anything until you are sure it is the right thing!
We cannot stress enough to READ ALL THE FINE PRINT ON THE FRONT AND ON THE BACK of anything a contractor asks you to sign! Do not be bullied into signing! Do not accept any explanations for what the documents are about. READ THEM YOURSELVES!
Hiring a contractor who is licensed is important to you for a number of reasons.
a. It shows the contractor is a professional and has passed the exam
necessary to become licensed in Minnesota.
b. It allows you access to the Contractor’s Recovery Fund which is
available to help compensate consumers who have
suffered certain losses because of fraudulent, deceptive, or
dishonest practices on a contractors´ part.
With all Building and Remodeling Contractors you may be considering, ask them for their contractors’ license numbers. By contacting the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, you can verify their license information, for yourself.
651-284-5069 in the Twin Cities
Inquire how long each contractor has been in business and where. Ensure they have a Minnesota business address other than a post office box.
Ensure they have a local phone number and that they can be reached during hours of business operation.
Obtain a recent list of references and take the time to CALL THEM!
In your efforts to be proactive and well-prepared, we hope that increasing your awareness with the tips from The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry below will be helpful. Beware of the following scenarios and try to avoid contractors who may:
1. Arrive in an unmarked truck or van
2. Ask you to sign an “estimate” or “authorization” before you have
decided to actually hire them
3. Appear to be willing to do the job at an unusually low price
4. Only provide a post office box for their business address
5. Require full or substantial payment before work begins
6. Refuse to provide you with a written estimate or contract
7. Refuse to provide you with a Minnesota Department of Labor
and Industry license number
|
When hiring
Building or Remodeling Contractors, you can
Avoid Common
Pitfalls
by following these recommendations from
The Minnesota Department of
Labor and Industry
Before you sign a contract, make sure it includes the following:
A detailed summary of the work to be done
A description of materials
The total contract price or how the price will be calculated
Specific timelines and provisions that address what will happen if the contractor fails to meet the contractual deadlines
___________________
|
