It may be tempting to hire a builder or masonry professional that offers you the lowest quote – but BUYER BEWARE. This is one of the most common mistakes often caused by budget constraints. It’s no secret that poor installations lead to premature maintenance and even early replacement.
That’s why investing in a builder for repairs or improvements around your home shouldn’t be taken lightly.
More importantly, comparing estimates is arguably the first and most critical step to success when you’re ready to employ a masonry contractor or general builder. This is because you will immediately start to get a feel for not only your regional pricing trends but also which contractor will be best for your particular remodeling project.
And it’s also your chance to question why one estimate is significantly lower than others.
Here are some of the most important reasons why you should never hire unlicensed masonry or general contractors.
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Increase the Overall Value of Your Property
Any remodeling work done to your home should increase the overall value of your property. However, much will depend on the quality of the workmanship. If you ever decide to sell your home, you’re required to disclose specific information to the potential buyers. This includes any repairs and remodeling work done.
If any remodeling work was done without permits or isn’t up to code, you could be facing lowered property values during the sale. Additionally, as the homeowner, you would be responsible for the costs to have this work redone (the right way) since unlicensed builders rarely have bond or liability insurance.
Up To Code – Proper Protection
It’s important to understand that the issue with hiring an unlicensed builder isn’t always the level of quality in their workmanship. Becoming a licensed builder usually comes with specific requirements.
Many repair and remodeling projects will require permits. Equally, many unlicensed builders willing to quote for the job may not always be willing to follow those guidelines.
It’s not uncommon for an unlicensed builder to be without worker’s compensation insurance. Unfortunately, this coverage is essential to protect homeowners in the event a worker is injured on your property.
If your builder or one of his employees gets hurt, like falling from a ladder, as the homeowner, you could be held responsible for thousands of dollars in medical bills for their injury.
This can also cause serious problems for the homeowner in a number of other ways. For example, the local municipality could impose steep fines and require the work to be redone by a licensed contractor. Of course, this financial responsibility will fall on you.
The bigger issue is often the lack of protection for the homeowner if things go awry. If you are considering ways to save on your remodeling or home repair project and thinking of hiring an unlicensed masonry – think again.
There are many insurance requirements that go along with being a licensed professional. This is the safety net for you as a homeowner. Don’t blow your remodeling budget on unfortunate situations like a builder’s negligence.
It’s absolutely essential to ask your potential builder to provide you with proof of their liability and worker’s compensation insurance coverage.
Questions to Ask Masonry and Building Contractors Before You Hire
Once you’ve narrowed down your potential list of contractors and vetted them online, be ready with some questions such as:
- Do you specialize in any kinds of masonry and building work?
- What certifications do you have?
- How long have you worked in the area?
- Do you offer any guarantees or warranties?
- Will you clean up after the work is finished?
- Can you provide references?
Don’t be intimidated to call and verify your potential builder’s references of past clients. You can ask questions like:
- How well did the builder stick to the original budget and timeline?
- How satisfied were they with the builder’s workmanship and the final results of their project?
- How well, and how often, did the builder communicate with clients during the project?
By following some of these basic steps you will be getting your remodeling project off on the right foot by ensuring that you are completely covered when hiring someone for your next home repair or remodeling project.
Taking the time to do your research and to ensure your builder is licensed and properly insured is not negotiable. Licensing qualifications can vary from state to state and city to city, so check e to verify the requirements with your local municipality before any work commences.
Compare FREE Masonry and Building Contractor Estimates
If you are ready to figure out the cost of some masonry building work around your home, why not start by reaching out to local professionals to compare their estimates.