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- Seek referrals<\/strong> from friends, co-workers, other contractors, and material suppliers. Keep good notes.<\/li>\n
- When interviewing<\/strong> contractors, ask:
– How many years they’ve been in business.
– List of last 5 customers.
– Where their permanent location is (even if they work out of their home).
– Any professional affiliations or designations.<\/li>\n- Certain contractors in Maine must be licensed<\/strong> (plumbers, electricians, oil burner technicians, etc.). For more information on these trades, visit the Maine Office of Licensing and Registration<\/a>. <\/li>\n
- Get more than one estimate.<\/strong> Beware of bids that seem unreasonably low, and make sure that they include the same scope of work. Ask about the rate for work that wasn’t contemplated before the job, but may be needed after it’s started. <\/li>\n
- Get a certificate of insurance<\/a> – <\/strong>including any subcontractors they may hire. Hire a contractor who buys General Liability Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Coverage. Otherwise, you may pay for damage the contractor causes to your own property, or injuries your contractor or their employees suffer while on your job. Self-employed individuals aren’t required to purchase workers’ comp coverage on themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to hire them. This is especially important for hazardous work like tree work, roofing and siding installation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Be sure to know your rights when dealing with contractors. The State of Maine provides an excellent guide<\/a> that outlines these. <\/p>\n
- When interviewing<\/strong> contractors, ask: