Transcript How to Select and Pre-screen a Home Improvement Contractor

How to Select
and
Pre-screen a Home
Improvement Contractor
Brought to you by:
Massachusetts Federation of
Building Officials
Inset Community Name
Goal
•
Assisting senior citizens to remain safe and
independent as they choose to stay in their homes
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Help find and pre-screen contractors that;
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provide basic home renovations
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maintenance
•
adaptive services
How to find a contractor
1) check with your local Chamber of Commerce
2) check with the Better Business Bureau
3) check with friends and relatives for personal
contractor recommendations
Step 1
Decide precisely what
you need to have done
Step 2
When interviewing a contractor follow these steps
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Contact at least three
contractors
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Communicate your ideas
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Get written estimates
Step 3
Contractor check list
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Contractors must be registered with The Attorney General’s Office
as a Home Improvement Contractor
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Must have the appropriate Contractor’s Supervisors License for the
work to be done: Issued by the Department of Public Safety
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Always ask for:
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1) Copies of the contractors Construction Supervisors
License
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2) HIC (home improvement contractor) registration
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3) Insurance affidavits
Step 3 continued
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Check to make sure the information given is valid
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Check for complaints against contractor: by contacting the
following agencies
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The Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Home
Improvement: www.mass.gov/ocabr/comsumer-rights-andresources/home-improvement-contract
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DPS Construction Supervisor License Look-Up:
www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/dps-license-lookup.html
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Better Business Bureau
www.boston.bbb.org/business
Step 4
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Always ask for and call references
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Ask to see past work
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Be wary of contractor’s bid who seem
too low or too high
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Always ask to explain his or her bid
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Never hire anyone with whom you feel
uncomfortable
Step 5
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Contractors must have the appropriate
Insurance coverages
(you want to protect your assets)
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Workman’s compensation
policy for their employees
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Personal liability insurance
Step 6
Any work over $1,000 requires a contract between the
property owner and the contractor
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The contract should have at least:
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The Contractors HIC Registration Number & registered business name
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Total Price of project
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Detailed description of the work to be performed
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Detailed payment schedule
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Signatures and dates of both parties involved
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All change orders that modify the contract must be written and signed by
both parties
Step 7
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Under Mass General Law 142A
section 2:
“Contractors are
required to apply for all building
permits which are subject to The
Home Improvement Registration
Law”
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A contractor must apply for and
receive a building permit before any
work begins.
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Contractor should not be asking
Homeowners to apply for building
permits in there own name.
Step 8
Tips on payment terms
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Contractors cannot demand more then 1/3 of
the contract price as a deposit unless the
project involves a special order or custom
made material
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Avoid situations where payment exceeds the
work performed, structure payments with
performance benchmarks
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Contractors cannot require the final payment
before the project is completed to your
satisfaction
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Make sure your local Building Department has
signed off on your project before making final
payment
Step 9
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Maintain a folder to hold all
documentation regarding your project
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Notes
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Phone conversations with dates
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Payments
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Change orders
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Photographs
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All communication
Step 10
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If you have a question or a problem with a contractor:
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The Attorney General’s Office oversees local consumer
groups who may be able help resolve disputes between you
and the contractor without any addition cost to you.
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Call the Elder Consumer Hotline at 888-243-5337 to see if
you qualify for mediation or arbitration
Any questions, or need
more information, contact
your local Building
Department