This Article Appears in our March 2001 Newsletter
Selecting the Right Contractor for the Job
By Shauna Gardner, Home-Work Contractor Referral
This time of year is a great time to start thinking about organizing renovation projects that need to be done around your revenue properties, your businesses and even your home. The trend is to enjoy time spent at home and create surroundings that are pleasing for yourself and your tenants. Calgary offers many skilled trades-people specializing in everything from minor plumbing to major renovations. The ideal way to find a good contractor is through “word of mouth”- asking friends and family whom they have used and would recommend for your project. Regardless of how you go about finding a contractor, there are a few very important things to check into before choosing one. Take some time to do your "homework" and check into the companies you are considering. It may be more work; but it is worth the peace of mind and eliminating potential hassle later.
Things to Consider:
- Call the City of Calgary licensing department (268-5521) to make sure the company has a current license.
- Call the Better Business Bureau (531-8780). You can usually hear a recording on the company for free.
- Ask for references. Get names of customers who have had work done through this company and call them directly. You can also ask to see the final product.
- Make sure to ask the company whether they carry general liability insurance, Worker's Compensation, and if they are bonded. (These coverages are there to protect both you and the contractor should something happen while the work is being done, or should the contractor not follow through with their end of the deal.) Call the company's insurance carrier to verify their insurance coverage.
- Be sure to obtain at least 2 or 3 written, detailed estimates for the project. Ask a lot of questions and write down the answers. You'll never be able to remember them all! Don't consider only price. Check carefully to see what you are getting for your money and make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Sometimes paying a bit more now, saves money in the long run.
- If a contractor accepts money before work is complete, and looks for work and discusses a contract away from his/her normal place of business, they must be licensed by Alberta Municipal Affairs, Housing and Consumer Affairs. They must also be bonded. You can contact Alberta Municipal Affairs at (403) 297-5700 or visit www.gov.ab.ca/ma to search current business licenses.
- If they do not hold a Provincial Prepaid Contractor's License, make payments only for work that has been completed. Always keep back some money to make sure the work is completed to your satisfaction. Always ask for a receipt of payment so that you have a record of what has been paid for.
- It is a good idea to contact your insurance company to inform them of your renovation project and make arrangements for any additional coverage needed.
- Before paying the bill, contact the Worker's Compensation Board to get a clearance letter on the company's Worker's Compensation account. If you pay the contractor and their account is outstanding, you could end up owing the Worker's Compensation Board.
Signing the Contract:
Do
-
Do learn what a contract should include by
visiting
www.home-workcanada.com (click on Tips and Links) - Do ask a lot of questions and clarify all information before signing the contract. Once signed by both parties, the contract is legally binding. The customer legally has a period of 10 days after signing a contact to change or rescind their decision.
- Do include provisions on larger projects to ensure that the contractor provides you with lien releases and proof of payment to subcontractors and suppliers, to protect you from liens on your property.
Don't
- Don't sign anything until you are ready.
- Don't sign a blank contract, or one with blank spaces of an kind (any blank spaces should be filled in with NA (Not Applicable) or NIL (nothing)).
- Don't sign anything that you don't understand.
- Don't submit to high pressure sales tactics.
- Don't pay for the entire job in advance or pay cash without getting a signed receipt.
Shauna Gardiner is the General Manager of Home-Work Contractor
Referral, a free service in Calgary that puts you in touch with screened,
reliable companies that are interested in your renovation project. We do
your "homework" for you!!
www.home-workcanada.com
Phone: (403)247-1387
Fax: (403)247-1836,
email: shaunag@home-workcanada.com
