10. The contractor should have a solid and reliable referral list. It should explain the type of work that was done and for whom it was done. The contractor should be able to give you addresses of completed jobs so that you can personally see the quality of his work.

9. Not all warranties are the same. Manufacturers and contractors have their own separate warranties. Some warranties are prorated as time progresses and some allow the homeowner to redeem full value. The contractor should be able to explain the specific warranties that come with the installation.

8. The contractor should have trust-worthy credentials. He should be certified by the manufacturers of the materials he installs or by a third-party certification agency. The contractor should be current in his knowledge of any product installation and warranty changes.

7. The contractor should be licensed and insured. If a contractor is performing work valued over $600 in the state of Michigan without a license, he is breaking state law. If the contractor is not insured and an accident happens while the job is being performed, the liability falls on the homeowner. Make sure to obtain current copies of builders’ licenses, liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance of all the parties that are performing work on your house.

6. Many contractors subcontract the work to be done versus having their own employees do the work. If the contractor is hiring out the work to be done, the subcontractor must be licensed and insured. It would be wise to determine how long this subcontractor has been working with the contractor and if you could see some of the subcontractor’s work.

5. The average company only lasts for about three years. It would be prudent to hire a contractor that has been in business for at least five years. This should not be confused with the number of years of experience. For example, one might claim to have multiple years of experience his company has only been in business for two years. If that is the case, the company might not be around if warranty work is required in the future.

4. Large advertisers and big box stores may seem trust-worthy, but are often misleading. In most cases these companies subcontract rather than performing any services themselves. Many times they have flashy warranties that are not backed up by the manufacturer. Also, it is common for them to provide loopholes in their warranties. Prices are generally higher with these companies because of their large overhead; it is important to understand where your money is going. Background checks can be obtained through many online sites such as Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List,
ServiceMagic and local blogs.

3. Many contractors overlook job preparation and job cleanliness. Be confident that the contractor will protect the homeowner’s possessions while performing the work. Also make sure that he is committed to keeping the work site clean and picked up at the end of each day’s work. Often times, casualties of the job site could have been avoided with proper preparation and pickup. For example, tarps or plywood placed over landscaping could prevent shrubs from being damaged, or picking up loose nails on a driveway could prevent a flat tire.

2. “Today only” deals are misleading. Many times salespeople will give you a quote that is outrageously high, then follow it up with what seems like an amazing discount. The buyer is pressured into buying immediately in order to keep the “fabulous deal”, but really does not save money or get a quality job. The salespeople are trying to prevent the buyer from comparing their quote with other more reasonable quotes.

1. Professionalism is key to a quality company. Make note of how the salesman represents his company. Find out if the company will be able to complete the job in a timely manner who you will be contacting should problems arise. Also ask about the employees. For example, find out if employees’ backgrounds are checked for crime, if they are drug-tested, if they wear uniforms, and if they drive marked company vehicles. Ask about safety procedures and ensure that the employees abide by safety regulations. You want to be able to trust the people who will be working on your
home.

As remodeling and roofing contractors for the Lansing Michigan Area, Palmer Construction provides metal roofing, asphalt roofing, flat roofing, vinyl siding, home remodeling and new home construction in the Lansing Michigan, Howell and Brighton Michigan areas.