​Tips For Hiring The
Right Contractor

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls...we live in Florida. The land of the fly-by-night, un-licensed, Jack-of-all-trades "contractor". You see them all the time. Maybe you've made the mistake of hiring them in the past. They're the guys that claim they can do everything. They also brag about being the cheapest. You've seen their trucks, "We'll Beat Any Written Estimate!". Not only can they install a new faucet in your kitchen, they'll also pressure wash your home, repair your roof, install new tile in your bathroom, hang a ceiling fan and then, unfortunately, attempt to seal your brick pavers too. I don't know about you, but I've never met a person that was phenomenal at every single thing they did. Think about your career. Maybe you're an accountant. A phenomenal accountant. That doesn't mean that you're also a great surgeon too. I have an amazing accountant, however, if I needed my appendix removed, he'd be one of the last people I'd call. Michael Jordan was a phenomenal basketball player! A decent golfer. However, would you want him doing your taxes??? I personally am a huge fan of specialization. Pick one line of work and strive to become the absolute best at it.

I've been in this industry for 20+ years. Over this time I've compiled a list of questions you should ask a contractor and things that you absolutely should expect from any person that you're hiring.

• First and foremost, do you feel SAFE allowing this person into your home?
• Are they licensed through the state of Florida? Florida requires that any person exchanging services or goods for payment, must be licensed through the state. Operating un-licensed is a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. 
• Are they insured? A reputable contractor will readily offer you a copy of their Certificate of Insurance before you even have to ask for it. There's absolutely no excuse for contractors to not be carrying insurance. Did you know that if a contractor falls at your home, and is not insured, that YOU are responsible for his medical costs since it happened on your property???
• What's their specialty? Do they focus their skills on one specific trade or are they a Jack-of-all-trades?
• Have they supplied you with references?
• Have you read their reviews online?
• How long have they been doing this?
• What's their warranty?
• What products are they using? Have you read reviews for these products?
• Will they provide you with receipts for your down payment and final payment? Will they provide you with a Waiver of Lien once payment is fulfilled?
• Is the contract clear and concise regarding payment schedules, scope of work, start and completion dates and warranty?
• Is the contractor a member or involved with any trade organizations?
• What type of training have they completed in the past and what type of continuing education are they participating in?
• Are any portion of their proceeds donated to local organizations?
• What type of safety training have they and their employees completed?
• Have they informed you that you have a 3 day "cool off" period after signing the contract in which to rescind it?
• Overall, how professional was the presentation of this contractor? Did they arrive on time or late with alcohol on their breath? Were they dressed properly for a consultation or were they still in their board shorts and a sweaty sleeveless t-shirt? Did they seem well-educated on the subject matter? Did they provide you with a clear, typed contract or scribbled on a piece of paper? Did you notice any contradictions in their presentation? And most importantly, do you feel safe allowing this person into your home??? If your answer is "no" to any of these, you should call someone else.