Finding a trustworthy contractor

Posted in Home

Finding a trustworthy contractor

While the majority of home repair contractors are honest and reputable, unfortunately there are people and businesses who prey on consumers after a disaster. When talking with potential contractors, there are steps you can take to hire a trustworthy person or team.

In this blog, we cover tips for narrowing your search to honest and reliable contractors. Plus, learn tips for reporting suspicious activity.

1. Ask about their experience

Ideally, a general contractor or residential contractor should have at least five years of experience repairing, renovating or building new construction homes. Ask about projects they’ve done that are similar to yours. For example, a contractor who has built more than 25 additions would be a strong contender for building an addition on your home. On the other hand, you may want to keep searching if you find a new contractor who has only completed three home additions.

2. Verify their insurance

Make sure the contractor has liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Here are some questions you can ask to confirm these details:

  • What kind of liability insurance do you have?
  • Who is your insurance provider?
  • What kind of workers’ compensation coverage do you have?
  • Can you tell me about scenarios that could happen that your insurance would cover?
 
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3. Talk to trusted friends and family

Your close loved ones can make it easier for you to find an honest contractor if they have already worked with one! When you have a project in mind, ask your friends and family about reliable contractors they’ve hired and what work was done. Here are some questions you can ask to cover the bases:

  1. Who did you work with?
  2. What was the project?
  3. How long was the initial projected timeline and the final timeline?
  4. What did you think of the customer service?
  5. Were the contractors good communicators?
  6. Was the cost a fair price?
  7. Are you satisfied with the quality of their work?

4. Request references

If you find a contractor who friends or family haven’t worked with, ask the contractor for names and contact information of previous customers. Ask who would be willing to talk with you about their experience with the contractor.

5. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and online reviews

The BBB and other consumer organizations can find out if the contractor has a record of complaints about workmanship, cost over-runs or other issues. You can also check online review websites like Google and Yelp to get insight from previous customers.

6. Verify a business's physical location

Avoid businesses that have only a P.O. Box or contractors that have recently moved into the area. Typically, P.O. boxes are signs that dishonest contractors have moved into the area to take advantage of people in need after a storm or catastrophic event.

7. Verify the company website

Avoid businesses that don’t have a website or active social media page, such as Facebook. If you have a difficult time pinpointing a business online, that can be an indicator of phony or dishonest companies.

8. When in doubt, report suspicious activity!

Grange partners with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to prevent and combat insurance fraud. If you suspect suspicious activity or feel you have been defrauded by a home repair contractor, call (800) TEL-NICB (800-835-6422).



Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact a local independent Grange agent for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational, or suggestion purposes and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Grange Insurance policies are underwritten by Grange Insurance Company, Trustgard Insurance Company, Grange Indemnity Insurance Company, Grange Insurance Company of Michigan and Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Company*. Not all companies are licensed in all states. *Not licensed in Pennsylvania.

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