How to Select and Pre-screen a Home Improvement Contractor

1. How to Select and Pre-screen a Home Improvement Contractor

2. Brought to you by: Massachusetts Federation of Building OfficialsInset Community Name

3. Goal • Assisting senior citizens to remain safe and independent as they choose to stay in their homes • Help find and pre-screen contractors that; • provide basic home renovations • maintenance • adaptive services

4. How to find a contractor • 1) check with your local Chamber of Commerce • 2) check with the Better Business Bureau • 3) check with friends and relatives for personal contractor recommendations

5. Step 1 • Decide precisely what you need to have done

6. Step 2When interviewing a contractor follow these steps • Contact at least three contractors • Communicate your ideas • Get written estimates

7. Step 3Contractor check list • Contractors must be registered with The Attorney General’s Office as a Home Improvement Contractor • Must have the appropriate Contractor’s Supervisors License for the work to be done: Issued by the Department of Public Safety • Always ask for: • 1) Copies of the contractors Construction Supervisors License • 2) HIC (home improvement contractor) registration • 3) Insurance affidavits

8. Step 3 continued • Check to make sure the information given is valid • Check for complaints against contractor: by contacting the following agencies • The Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Home Improvement: www.mass.gov/ocabr/comsumer-rights-and-resources/home-improvement-contract • DPS Construction Supervisor License Look-Up: www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/dps-license-lookup.html • Better Business Bureau www.boston.bbb.org/business

9. Step 4 • Always ask for and call references • Ask to see past work • Be wary of contractor’s bid who seem too low or too high • Always ask to explain his or her bid • Never hire anyone with whom you feel uncomfortable

10. Step 5 • Contractors must have the appropriate Insurance coverages (you want to protect your assets) • Workman’s compensation policy for their employees • Personal liability insurance

11. Step 6Any work over $1,000 requires a contract between the property owner and the contractor • The contract should have at least: • The Contractors HIC Registration Number & registered business name • Total Price of project • Detailed description of the work to be performed • Detailed payment schedule • Signatures and dates of both parties involved • All change orders that modify the contract must be written and signed by both parties

12. Step 7 • Under Mass General Law 142A section 2: “Contractors are required to apply for all building permits which are subject to The Home Improvement Registration Law” • A contractor must apply for and receive a building permit before any work begins. • Contractor should not be asking Homeowners to apply for building permits in there own name.

13. Step 8 Tips on payment terms • Contractors cannot demand more then 1/3 of the contract price as a deposit unless the project involves a special order or custom made material • Avoid situations where payment exceeds the work performed, structure payments with performance benchmarks • Contractors cannot require the final payment before the project is completed to your satisfaction • Make sure your local Building Department has signed off on your project before making final payment

14. Step 9 • Maintain a folder to hold all documentation regarding your project • Notes • Phone conversations with dates • Payments • Change orders • Photographs • All communication

15. Step 10 • If you have a question or a problem with a contractor: • The Attorney General’s Office oversees local consumer groups who may be able help resolve disputes between you and the contractor without any addition cost to you. • Call the Elder Consumer Hotline at 888-243-5337 to see if you qualify for mediation or arbitration

16. Any questions, or need more information, contact your local Building Department