What are some
guidelines to follow
when trying to find a
contractor?
A:
While hiring
contractors recommended
by friends is usually a
safe route, never hire a
construction
professional without
first checking him or
her out first. If your
state has a licensing
board for contractors,
call to find out if
there are any
outstanding complaints
against that license
holder. Also, call your
local Better Business
Bureau to see if there
are any complaints on
file.
If you are satisfied
with the answers you
find there, interview
the contractor
candidates. Ask what
kind of worker's
compensation insurance
they carry and get
policy and insurance
company phone numbers so
you can verify the
information. If they are
not covered, you could
be liable for any
work-related injury
incurred during the
project. Also be sure
that the contractor has
an umbrella general
liability policy.
If they pass the
insurance hurdle, next
check some of their
references. A good
contractor will be happy
to provide as many as
you want.
Finally, don't let
yourself be rushed into
making a decision no
matter how competitive
the market may seem.
Also, never pay a
deposit to a contractor
at the first meeting.
You may end up losing
your money.
Q:
Where do I get
information on
remodeling?
A:
Try these sources:
* National
Association of the
Remodeling Industry,
4301 N. Fairfax Drive,
Suite 310,Arlington, VA
22203; (703) 575-1100.
* "Rehab a Home With
HUD?s 203(K)," published
by the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban
Development, 7th and D
St., S.W., Washington,
DC 20410.
* "Cost vs. Value
Report," by Remodeling
magazine, 1 Thomas
Circle, N.W., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20005.
$8.95 per copy; call
(202) 736-3447 for
credit card orders.
* "The Do-able Renewable
Home," by the
Coordination and
Development Department,
American Association of
Retired Persons, 601 E
St., N.W., Washington,
DC 20049.
Q:
How do I find a home
inspector?
A:
In order to find a
home inspector, Dian
Hymer, author of "Buying
and Selling a Home A
Complete Guide,"
Chronicle Books, San
Francisco; 1994, advises
looking for someone with
demonstrable
qualifications.
"Ideally, the general
inspector you select
should be either an
engineer, an architect,
or a contractor. When
possible, hire an
inspector who belongs to
one of the home
inspection trade
organizations."
The American Society
of Home Inspectors
(ASHI) has developed
formal inspection
guidelines and a
professional code of
ethics for its members.
Membership to ASHI is
not automatic; proven
field experience and
technical knowledge of
structures and their
various systems and
appliances are a
prerequisite.
One can usually find
an inspector by looking
in the phone book or by
inquiring at a real
estate office or
sometimes at an area
REALTOR® association.
Rates for the service
vary greatly. Many
inspectors charge about
$400, but costs go up
with the scope of the
inspection.
