Choosing a Contractor - Where to Start
A wise customer will start with questions about things that many contractors do not want you to ask about. The savvy customer knows to ask some general questions to ensure their contractor is doing things the right way and not the easy, cheap way.
- Is your contractor appropriately licensed by Kentucky?
- If your contractor is operating legally within Kentucky, they will be able to provide you with the their contracting license number. Your contractor should also be able to give you the license number for one of their master worker in HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work. If catastrophe strikes in the future (e.g. weather damage or flooding), your insurance company may balk at covering claims in any area where work should have been done by a licensed contractor (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).
- If your contractor is operating legally within Kentucky, they will be able to provide you with the their contracting license number. Your contractor should also be able to give you the license number for one of their master worker in HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work. If catastrophe strikes in the future (e.g. weather damage or flooding), your insurance company may balk at covering claims in any area where work should have been done by a licensed contractor (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).
- Does your contractor have vehicle and liability insurance?
- If your contractor does not have these types of insurance, they put you at risk for a monetary nightmare. It is important for customers (and homeowners) to know that someone working on their property without proper insurance could leave you in the lurch, mid-project, if a problem arises.
- If your contractor does not have these types of insurance, they put you at risk for a monetary nightmare. It is important for customers (and homeowners) to know that someone working on their property without proper insurance could leave you in the lurch, mid-project, if a problem arises.
- Is your contractor (and those working with them) knowledgeable and competent?
- The better you are, the more you expect to be paid. Ask your contractor about how much experience they have. If they are experienced and competent, they can easily share details of past jobs and the different ways they can solve your particular problem.
- The better you are, the more you expect to be paid. Ask your contractor about how much experience they have. If they are experienced and competent, they can easily share details of past jobs and the different ways they can solve your particular problem.
- Is your contractor in compliance with regulations requiring the purchase of business permits to perform work in your town?
- It is customary for a contractor to purchase a business license shortly after a job begins, but the contractor is required by law to obtain a business licenses for every city and/or county in KY in which they work. These fees support local city and county governments - not paying them is a cheap way to cut costs but do nothing to support local government.
- It is customary for a contractor to purchase a business license shortly after a job begins, but the contractor is required by law to obtain a business licenses for every city and/or county in KY in which they work. These fees support local city and county governments - not paying them is a cheap way to cut costs but do nothing to support local government.
- For jobs involving significant electrical work, such as service changes, new construction wiring, and RV hookups, does your contractor mention a permit for the work and/or the need for city/county inspections?
- If your contractor is dismissive about local permits and inspection requirements, it pays to be wary. These regulations are in place to protect the you and to help ensure work is performed safely and up to local and national standards. If your contractor discourages an inspection, you might want to ask what they are afraid of! A quality contractor does not worry about the small fee required for an inspection. You want a contractor who does not worry about having their work inspected and takes pride in documentation of a job well done. If you need to sell or refinance, a homeowner will be held liable if they have areas that a contractor was supposed to have had inspected but did not. Work that requires a permit and inspection must have a permit and inspection, regardless of whether a homeowner or contractor performs the work.
- If your contractor is dismissive about local permits and inspection requirements, it pays to be wary. These regulations are in place to protect the you and to help ensure work is performed safely and up to local and national standards. If your contractor discourages an inspection, you might want to ask what they are afraid of! A quality contractor does not worry about the small fee required for an inspection. You want a contractor who does not worry about having their work inspected and takes pride in documentation of a job well done. If you need to sell or refinance, a homeowner will be held liable if they have areas that a contractor was supposed to have had inspected but did not. Work that requires a permit and inspection must have a permit and inspection, regardless of whether a homeowner or contractor performs the work.
Electrical Contractor, Paris KY
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