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Guidlines for Choosing a Contractor

Department :Building Department
Type :Announcements

 

            GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR
 
 
  • Properly Licensed and Insured with the Commonwealth of Mass.
  • Check licenses for authenticity, obtain a copy and check with you local Building Department at Town Hall or state agency’s for help
  • Call Insurance company for verification of workman’s comp and liability, check for coverage amounts
  • Check with State agency’s for complaints
  • Ask how long the company has been in business
  • Ask if the person who is pricing your project is the owner and if not how long has that person been employed with that company
  • Ask what other jobs are ongoing and ask to view some of them
  • Make sure contractor obtains ALL permits
  • Determine if the contractor is capable of handling your project
  • Ask for references, previous work, financial and business
  • Make sure the contract you sign meets the contract guidelines of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 142a. Call the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation hotline at 617-973-8787 for assistance.
 
 
                                              Dig a Little Deeper
 
·         Visit the contractor’s office and a job site or two. Look for signs of a well run company such as an organized office and shop with helpful employees, talk to some employees to get a sense of how the contractor operates. Inquire about safety and training programs.
·         Create a checklist for contractor’s to make sure they qualify for bidding on your project prior to accepting them as a bidder for your project.
 
                                    Don’t focus solely on price
 
At the end of the contractor bidding process you will probably have variations in pricing. It is tempting – and all too common – to let price be the determining factor in the decision, but doing so may not be wise. Lets say the low bidder has other projects going on will he be able to meet your expectations if his other jobs run into problems, will he abandon or cut corners on your project to tend to his other obligations. Remember when you select your contractor you are entering into a relationship which in the long run price may not be the most important factor. When you select a contractor that interests in providing the best possible workmanship, business priorities, safety procedures and professional the quality of your project goes up as time and costs go down.