5 Essential Checks when Hiring a Home Renovation Contractor

There is a strong possibility that before you embark on a journey to renovate your home, you will be tempted to go the DIY route. While DIY home renovation tips may look simple in a book or video, it's not that easy when it comes to reality. It is, therefore, recommended that such projects should be left to home renovation contractors who have the knowledge and expertise to bring your home renovation dreams to life. Hiring the services of a home renovation contractor gives you complete peace of mind as you do not have to face the day to day challenges of procuring material, managing labor, dealing with critical issues related to structural changes, and more.

In this post, we discuss the checks you must perform before hiring a professional home renovation contractor.

1. Check Legal and Financial Status

You can check the financial status of a company by reviewing its credit history and their statement of claims. A company that is unable to meet its liabilities faces bankruptcy issues, and you must therefore, stay away from such service providers. Similarly, you must check if the company is facing any legal issues such as lawsuits that may be a hindrance in the continuation of business. The internet is your best source of information if you want to check the legal status of any entity before engaging.

2. Check Licensing

There are licensing requirements for running different businesses that differ depending on the state. Before you hire a independent home renovations contractor, ask for valid proof of licensing to ensure that the company is legitimate and complies with all relevant laws and regulations.

3. Check Qualifications

Check the qualifications of the contractors and see if they have earned any professional degrees such as Certified Bath Designer or Certified Graduate Remodeler? While experience is a reliable barometer when it comes to hiring a contractor, professional qualifications also present a great opportunity to be certain about the caliber of prospective service providers.

4. Check Insurance

Check if the company has valid business insurance to protect it in the event of peril or legal issues. Home Renovation contract companies must have personal liability, property damage coverage, and worker’s compensation cover. You should never settle for oral assurances, promises or agreements but rather, see everything in black and white. Request copies of insurance certificates and ensure that they are current. It is important for you to perform this check to avoid the risk of being held liable in case of any injuries or damages that might occur during the project.

4. Verify the Contract’s Terms

Make sure you have gone through and clearly understood the terms of the contract before you sign above the dotted line. Some of the points you cannot afford to miss include payment terms, warranty terms, sequential schedule of primary construction tasks, dispute resolution terms, and more.

Word of advice

Costs should never be the prime determinant of your choice of a home renovation contractor or firm. For example – never pay the contractor in full before the job’s done. While it is okay to pay an advance amount before work starts, it should not exceed 10% of the project cost.  Make sure you get the receipts for all the payments you make to avoid any confusion in later stages.

Tips for Roof Maintenance

Proper Inspection is Key

It is a known fact that a little care invested religiously extends the life of your roofing system and helps to keep it functioning effectively and efficiently. An inspection of your roof by a certified roofing professional once a year is a necessity. There are roof maintenance regimens followed by most home and business owners in an effort to ensure that their roofing lasts longer and they also avoid costly repairs in the long run. Extreme caution must be taken when performing roof inspections as it is easy for accidents to happen in the absence of experts. Walking on a steep slope roof is dangerous, and homeowners are advised to only brave flat roofs, if at all, and resort to trained and experienced professionals as much as they can for most requirements. This not only guarantees your safety, but ensures that a good job is done all the time and nothing of significance is missed. Professionals are experienced in dealing with different kinds of roofing styles and requirements. An easy way to inspect your roof is to scan it with the help of binoculars to identify any torn, curled, loose, cupped, missing shingles, underlayment or blistered roofing. Using a ladder helps you scan the roof from different angles. Make sure, ladder is firmly anchored before using it.

Maintenance Tips

Following some simple tips will help to keep your roof in a great condition:

1. Remove all leaves, branches and debris that settles on your roof after a storm.

2.  Always remember to trim bushes and limbs touching your roofing system.

3.  Make a habit to regularly clean and flush gutters. Remove all the debris collected in the gutter system.

4.  Moisture trapping is quite a common phenomenon caused by algae and moss growing on your roof and affect the longevity of the roofing system. If you notice moss and algae growing on your roof ask for professional help as they remove the growth properly with the help of a chlorine solution.

5.  Check your attic periodically for signs of wood rot or water stains.

6. While installing any equipment on the roof such as vents, chimneys or a satellite dish, ensure the roof seal remains intact.

7.   Inspect the roofing fascia and eaves visually for any unusual signs of rot or leakage.

8.   Roof leakage is very common and spotting leaks before they cause damage saves you lots of money in the long run.

Conclusion

Many roofing problems are diagnosed and rectified by following these measures. If you are unable to access your roof and have no idea how to carry out certain tasks, the best solution is to rope-in professional help. Roof replacement is a costly affair that you keep away for as long as possible by practising prudent maintenance and inspecting all the vital areas every now and then. When selecting the right professionals to handle your requirements, it is always advisable to trust experience and reputation in the market above everything else.