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...Kitchens .com - Kitchen Design, Photos, Products, Videos, Remodeling ...
Information and inspiration for your ideal kitchen, including design ideas, photos, slideshows, videos, decorating, remodeled kitchens, cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring ... |
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The Steps of Hiring Kitchen Remodeling Pro...
10 Steps for Hiring Kitchen Service Professionals
1. Confirm the sales person works for the company that will actually do the kitchen remodeling .
· Verify that the
individual with whom you are speaking is an
authorized agent of the company that was referred by
ServiceMagic.
2. Ask for a copy of the company's license.
· Ask the company to
provide a copy of their license. It is important that
you verify the license
is still in good standing. Also keep in mind
that certain states do
not require licensing if the job is under a certain dollar
amount. Remember that
you can find a list of your state's licensing
requirements on the
ServiceMagic website.
We recommend (with kitchen remodeling companies) that before working with with them and committing the money it cost to do a typical kitchen remodel,
you verify that information presented is still current and/or
acceptable to you. While ServiceMagic may be notified of changes
in member service professional insurance coverage which are then
confirmed with insurance agents or companies, we cannot guarantee
that insurance information is still valid at time of presentation
so we recommend that you obtain a copy of the service
professional's insurance certificate where applicable.
...
3. Ask for proof of insurance.
· Ask the company to
provide a copy of their insurance certificate. We
recommend that you
verify with the insurance agency or carrier that the
policy is still in good
standing.
4. Finalize the contract before starting on a project.
A good contract...
· Should be
written on company letterhead
· Should contain
the company's name, address, phone numbers, and
license number (if
applicable)
· Should contain
the consumer's name, address (where work is to
be performed), and
phone numbers
· Is dated when
it is written
· Includes a
detailed description of the work that is going to be performed
· Provides dollar
amounts associated with each task included in the
project
· Includes an
anticipated start and finish date
· Provides a
payment schedule
· Includes a
termination clause
· Contains a
clause that protects you the homeowner from any potential
mechanics liens
once you have paid
the contractor in full
· Clearly states
whether permits will be pulled, and who will be
responsible for pulling
them
5. Make payments to the company that was referred.
· Do not pay an
individual.
6. Avoid paying with cash.
· Check and credit
cards are preferable, and be sure to get a receipt for
all payments.
7. Withhold final payment until you are satisfied with the
project.
· Don't pay in
full until the project is completely finished and you have
completed your
final inspection.
· If
sub-contractors were used, be sure to get signed releases from all
sub contractors
clearly indicating that they have been paid in full by the
general
contractor.
· For larger
projects, don't make the final payment until you have passed
the final building
inspection.
8. Don't advance money for materials.
· If absolutely
necessary, make sure the materials are delivered to your
house with a receipt
showing that they have been paid in full.
9. Check multiple references.
· In addition to
reading the company's ServiceMagic Ratings & Reviews,
consider checking
additional references for the service professional.
10. Document all changes to the contract.
· Make sure all changes
to the original contact, no matter how small, are
documented and signed
off by both parties.
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© Article Supplied by
ServiceMagic 2005 |
