Tips from a Contractor

1. Home Owners needs to get a written estimate.

2. Estimates should outline work and be specific on what is included.

3. Home Owners should receive a contract, read it, understand it, sign it and keep a copy.

4. All agreements and changes should be in writing

5. Never allow a contractor to perform change order work without agreeing to a price prior to them performing work.

6. Home owners ask for and receive a copy of the contractors liability and workman’s compensation insurance certificate before any work is performed. Everyone who performs construction in New York State is required to have both. Home owners name and address should be in box on bottom of insurance certificate.

7. Home owner should not give the contractor any more that 25% as a deposit unless contractor has to pay for a specialty piece of equipment up front

8. Contractor should file for and receive a building permit for work to be performed.

9. Contractor should arrange for and have building department make necessary inspections.

10. Owner should receive a copy of any inspection report and receive final certificate of occupancy or inspection report prior to giving contractor final payment.

11. On major projects, owner may request an inspection by an outside inspection agency prior to making final payment.