Top 6 Places to Research a Home Improvement Contractor
We are constantly encouraging homeowners to do their research when it comes to choosing a contractor to complete their roofing, siding, window or gutter replacements. We will cover the estimate process in another post, but for now I’d like to talk a bit about WHERE to research your potential contractor finalists. BEFORE you sign a contract, make sure to check out the following websites or make the following phone calls to make sure your home is protected from contractors who might not be the best choice for you.
- The Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois is a FANTASTIC place to start when reviewing potential contractors. You can search their online database using a contractors name, address or phone number and it will give you a report listing a letter grade (i.e., A+, A, B, C, etc) for that particular business. You will also be able to see any complaints lodged against the contractor by other homeowners.
- The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: The State of Illinois requires that all roofing contractors be licensed. You can check to be sure that your potential roofing contractor is properly licensed using their online lookup. The State of Illinois does not currently require or issue licensing for siding, windows or gutters.
- Online consumer-driven review websites: There are many websites available now that allow customers to post their experiences with home improvement contractors. One of the most popular of these websites is Angieslist, though it does require membership to read the reviews. Free reviews and additional information often can be found by simply entering the name of a potential contractor’s company into a search engine such as google, yahoo, etc (e.g., “Hollingsworth Home Improvement” reviews).
- Local supply vendors: It’s always a smart move to ask a potential contractor for the names and phone numbers of some of their suppliers.. You can then call the supplier to make sure that the contractor is up to date on their accounts. If the contractor is behind paying their supplier, then they are probably struggling financially and may not be the safest choice to make.
- Previous Customers: Most contractors will have a ready list of previous customers and/or their addresses. If one is not provided automatically, be sure to ask. This will give you first hand information on the quality of a contractor’s work.
- Insurance Providers: Again, most contractors should have shown you a Certificate of Insurance during their estimate presentation. If one was not displayed, then you’ll want to get the name of their insurance provider and call them to confirm adequate coverage.
I’d love to hear about other ways you research your potential contractors! Please feel free to leave a comment with any other advice you have to add for other homeowners!
IL Attorney General Issues Another Storm Chaser Warning Following Flooding
This weekend’s heavy rain caused a great deal of damage throughout our area (my basement included). Lisa Madigan, IL Attorney General, issued another consumer alert yesterday warning residents to be on their guard for con artists and scammers looking to take advantage of homeowners in our area. The Chicago area was already hit hard this spring with storm chasing contractors rolling in after April’s hail storms. Consumers have already been warned to be wary of contractors going door-to-door soliciting work for hail damaged roofing and siding. But the newest warning comes as a reminder that hail damage isn’t the only catastrophe that brings these storm chasers to our doors. Flooding and water damage bring the same danger and challenges for homeowners. Madigan warns residents to be extremely cautious when hiring a contractor to complete storm damage repairs.
You can read the entire text of the press release at the IL Attorney General webpage.
You can also read more about storm chasers and how to avoid them on our website.