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Contractor

Checklist for Hiring a Reputable Contractor

If you’re planning a home project or remodel, hire a professional with excellent credentials. Doing your research is the single biggest step to making sure that the job gets done right. 

 

Use this checklist to help you select the right contractor for the job. 

 

  • Do they belong to a builders association? Association members are respected professionals in their communities and have access to the latest industry information and training. They are invested in their profession and are committed to service, integrity and stability. Your local builders association is the best place to start your search. 

  • How long have they been in business? It typically takes 3-5 years to establish a financially sound business. Will they be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties? 

  • Do they have a permanent address? 

  • Will they provide you with references? Great references should not be hard to find for a reputable remodeler who is established. Ask those references if they would hire the contractor again.  Have you seen their work? Both completed and in progress? 

  • Are they accessible? How promptly do they return your calls? Remember, you will need to be in contact with them throughout your project and possibly afterward. 

  • Will they provide a clearly written contract?

  • Be cautious of unusually low priced bids and always get more than one bid. 

  • Ask if your contractor builds to Pennsylvania’s statewide building code. If they use subcontractors, do they also build to code?

  • Home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania MUST be registered with the Attorney General’s office. Although this registration is not an endorsement of the quality of their work, it is the law. Visit the AG’s website at attorney general.gov to verify the registration of a contractor. 

 

  • Ask for an insurance certificate to verify current workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.

Ready to start your project?  The Builders Association of Central PA is your local resource to help you choose the right professional for your home project.  You can access our membership directory online at any time or contact the BACP office at 814.231.8813.  

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