Find a Reliable Contractor for Home Improvements this Spring
BBB Offers Tips for Avoiding Substandard Remodeling Services
Austin, Texas - March 2, 2010 – For consumers who may be repairing or remodeling their existing home as part of Spring cleaning, contractors may be necessary to ensure the job is done properly. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), homeowners spent $290.5 billion on remodeling projects in 2008. In the past 12 months, BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas has received over 41,000 inquiries on local general contractors.
"Homeowners often don't know where to begin looking for reliable help for home improvement projects, but finding a trustworthy contractor doesn't have to be a difficult task," said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas. "BBB provides several useful services consumers can take advantage of for free.”
BBB offers the following tips for finding a reliable contractor to perform home repairs or renovations:
- Do a Background Check. BBB recommends homeowners ask all contractors for local references and find out if those customers were satisfied with the contractor's work. Ask for permits, city code compliances and, if possible, homeowners should visit and inspect completed projects.
- Compare Costs. Solicit at least three bids from prospective contractors based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project. It is important to discuss bids in detail with each contractor and make certain to understand the reasons for any variations in price. BBB offers a free eQuote service to obtain bids from BBB Accredited Businesses. Remember that cost differences may reflect factors such as quality of materials, craftsmanship and subcontracting for specialized labor.
- Check on Insurance. Ask contractors if the company is insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents. BBB advises verifying the contractor's insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.
- Start with Trust. Contractors that ask for payment up front, perform low-quality workmanship, refuse refunds and fail to address issues are common complaints BBB receives. Homeowners can avoid these companies by doing their homework online through BBB Member Pages to find BBB accredited contractors and remodeling businesses in the area.
To check the reliability of a contractor in your area, visit www.bbb.org.
About BBB:
BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is the preeminent resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses and charities.
Contact BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas at (512) 445-4748.
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