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Finding the Right Contractor

By Frank Cook

Special to The Journal-Constitution

The consumer's best hope is to do a lot of the work himself at the beginning. To that end, get recommendations from friends, relatives, real estate agents, bankers, and even local builders.

Once you have completed the list, call each one, ask for references and then check them. Once you have distilled your list to five or six, invite those to bid-making sure to explain not only what your project is but also how you expect it to be completed.

If you want the work site cleaned up every night, say so. If you do not want workers to use your bathrooms or your telephone, say so. If you want a crew to be there every day until the job is finished, say that, too. Make all your requests, then sit back and listen and don't expect to get everything you wanted.

If the contractor has to put a portable toilet on the job, it will probably add to the cost of the project. You may want workers there every day, but the contractor cannot predict the weather, cannot predict the availability of materials and cannot dictate the schedule of city inspectors who must check off each stage of the project.

You are entitled to a warning when utilities are about to be cut. And you certainly can ask how long you are going to be out of service.

Bear in mind, however, that every part of a remodeling job is going to take at least twice as long as the contractor says it will, and about four times longer than you think it should. Also remember, things can go wrong with even the best of contractors.

"For the consumer, the best form of leverage is to withhold the money," says Christopher Grant, Washington, DC based attorney who earns his living handling multimillion-dollar disputes between contractors, subcontractors and developers. "Don't make final payment until you get what you are entitled to."

"You should pay promptly when the work is completed [or according to the schedule you've worked out with the contractor]. But if 10 percent of the job does not meet your satisfaction, you can withhold 10 percent of the money. Don't ever pay for shoddy work."

"Just because the contractor belongs to a nationally known franchise, that doesn't mean that you're going to get a better job done," Mr. Grant says. "Check them out just as thoroughly as you would a farm boy in a pickup truck."

And, "Having a 'guarantee' or having work 'guaranteed' doesn't mean much. Read the guarantee closely. Guarantees are usually written to limit the contractor's liability, not expand it. It's just a warranty. Some things are included, some aren't."

"Read the guarantee. If you like it, say so. Say you want some other language included. If a contractor says 'No,' get another contractor."

Again, Mr. Grant emphasizes, "Your best warranty is the professionalism of the person you choose."

And if you get one, demand that he give you 20 of his business cards so you can distribute them to all your friends and neighbors.





		Finding the Right Contractor By Frank Cook Special to The Journal-Constitution The consumer's best hope is to do a lot of the work himself at the beginning. To that end, get recommendations from friends, relatives, real estate agents, bankers, and even local builders. Once you have completed the list, call each one, ask for references and then check them. Once you have distilled your list to five or six, invite those to bid-making sure to explain not only what your project is but also how you expect it to be completed. If you want the work site cleaned up every night, say so. If you do not want workers to use your bathrooms or your telephone, say so. If you want a crew to be there every day until the job is finished, say that, too. Make all your requests, then sit back and listen and don't expect to get everything you wanted. If the contractor has to put a portable toilet on the job, it will probably add to the cost of the project. You may want workers there every day, but the contractor cannot predict the weather, cannot predict the availability of materials and cannot dictate the schedule of city inspectors who must check off each stage of the project. You are entitled to a warning when utilities are about to be cut. And you certainly can ask how long you are going to be out of service. Bear in mind, however, that every part of a remodeling job is going to take at least twice as long as the contractor says it will, and about four times longer than you think it should. Also remember, things can go wrong with even the best of contractors. "For the consumer, the best form of leverage is to withhold the money," says Christopher Grant, Washington, DC based attorney who earns his living handling multimillion-dollar disputes between contractors, subcontractors and developers. "Don't make final payment until you get what you are entitled to." "You should pay promptly when the work is completed [or according to the schedule you've worked out with the contractor]. But if 10 percent of the job does not meet your satisfaction, you can withhold 10 percent of the money. Don't ever pay for shoddy work." "Just because the contractor belongs to a nationally known franchise, that doesn't mean that you're going to get a better job done," Mr. Grant says. "Check them out just as thoroughly as you would a farm boy in a pickup truck." And, "Having a 'guarantee' or having work 'guaranteed' doesn't mean much. Read the guarantee closely. Guarantees are usually written to limit the contractor's liability, not expand it. It's just a warranty. Some things are included, some aren't." "Read the guarantee. If you like it, say so. Say you want some other language included. If a contractor says 'No,' get another contractor." Again, Mr. Grant emphasizes, "Your best warranty is the professionalism of the person you choose." And if you get one, demand that he give you 20 of his business cards so you can distribute them to all your friends and neighbors.