These days, finding a new person or company to help and work with you can be tough. But that doesn’t mean you should default to the first person available. We’ve all heard horror stories of disappearing contractors, people who overcharged, or other unethical behavior.
Here are some tips to find a contractor you can trust.
1. Personal Referral: Ask your friends, your family, neighbors and colleagues if they know a company that will meet your needs, and if they have used them. It’s easy to pull a name out of thin air,; but the real test is if they have used them. In business, a good source for referrals are the trade associations that support your industry; word gets around quickly if there are any ‘red flags’ about an individual or company.
Once you a personal referral, ask your friend or family member specific questions about their experience, including:
- Availability. Did they return calls? Show up on time? Do the work as scheduled and planned?
- Integrity. Did they ‘over promise and under deliver,’ or vise-versa? Did they do what they said they would? Were unexpected problems and/or extra work handled fairly? Was there anything major that could have/should have been known before starting i.e. any ‘big expensive surprises’?
- Professionalism and Credibility. How did they ‘look’? Clothing? Vehicles? Organized? Messy personally? Messy vehicle? Was the worksite messy or did it seem organized and safe? Any issues with licenses or insurances not being current?
- Pricing. When all is said and done; do they think they got a good value? How did it compare in the market-place? Were there any un-expected charges/expenses and were they handled fairly and per the contract?
2. Internet Referral: If you’re not able to get a personal referral, the internet can be a great tool – as long as you do your homework and don’t take a stranger’s glowing recommendation at face value. As a first step, check out platforms like Facebook, Angie’s List, LinkedIn, etc. Look for local people/companies that seem to have good and necessary information available without a bunch of digging. Then, once you’ve found a couple of names or companies you’re interested in, start gathering as much information as you, including:
- How long have they been in business? Where is their physical address?
- Who is the owner and/or principal or manager? How long have they been there? Look them up on Google or LinkedIn them and learn what you can.
- Are their licenses, insurances and bond current through the state’s L & I website? Has there been any disciplinary activity? Anything unresolved?
- How does their BBB report look? Anything unanswered or unresolved?
- How does their Dun and Bradstreet look?
- What training and/or credentials do they have for their people?
- Do they do background checks on their employees, both for pre-employment and ongoing (at least) annually?
Without exception a personal referral from someone who has personally used a contractor is the most reliable, but with a little legwork you can also find trustworthy service providers via online referrals, too. Remember: “Trust; but verify.” And: “If it seems too good to be true; it usually is.”
Pro Tip: Develop a relationship with Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical contractors, and the like before an emergency arises so you’re not stuck in a desperate situation without the time to fully vet a good service provider.
Since 1954, Day & Nite Plumbing & Heating, a family owned and operated company, has been meeting the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning needs of homeowners and businesses in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Whether you have a plumbing emergency, or you need a heating and cooling home comfort system, “Do it Right! Call them anytime “Day or Nite”. Be sure to browse here for in-depth answers to homeowner’s top plumbing and heating questions, or send your own questions directly to the experts.
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