Spring is the perfect time to start those home improvements you've been thinking about all winter. But what starts out as a dream project can quickly turn into a nightmare. Just ask Keller-Brown customer, Charles. He was recently renovating a bathroom in his home in northern Maryland when a leak caused it to "rain in the kitchen."
"It was a good idea at the time," Charles said. "A local handyman came to do some work for me, and as we made small talk I mentioned that I was thinking of doing an upstairs bathroom renovation. His eyes lit up, and he proclaimed that he did bathroom renovations! As a first-time homeowner, I was excited, and I jumped at the opportunity in my new house and we struck a deal. Demolition started the next day."
After the work was completed, Charles was pleased with the look of his new bathroom and received many compliments — he was ready for his next project!
Then plans changed.
It started with one drop...then two...and so on. Suddenly before his eyes, Charles had several steady streams of water coming from the newly renovated bathroom into his kitchen. "I rushed for buckets," he said. "The damage was done, and I spent a sleepless night emptying buckets of water to prevent any further damage, even after shutting off the main valve."
Even though he called on a Saturday morning, Keller-Brown's own Sarah Brown jumped into action. Sarah was able to report the claim to the insurance company and connect the homeowner with a water restoration company. Clean-up operations started within an hour. "They did a fantastic job," Charles said.
With water claims, delays in clean-up may result in subsequent mold damage. Keller-Brown has worked with several restoration companies that have a reputation for quick response and high-quality work. At a very stressful time, the ability to refer trusted restoration contractors can give peace of mind when customers don't know who to call for help.
At Keller-Brown we know your home is not just your shelter, it's your sanctuary. That's why when you're ready to make improvements you don't want just anybody working on it. Whether you are considering a minor makeover or a complete renovation, consider these tips to evaluate potential contractors before signing on the dotted line.
1. Find a contractor you can trust - The best way to find a contractor you can trust is by talking to your neighbors. Are you considering redoing your kitchen? Chances are you know someone who has had that done. If you're new to the neighborhood, an app like Nextdoor-a social network for neighbors-can be a good place to ask for recommendations. The Better Business Bureau can also provide valuable information such as if a specific contractor has received consumer complaints. Once you've narrowed the list of potential contractors, ask them for a list of references whom you can call to confirm the quality of their work.
2. Verify that the contractor is fully licensed - In Maryland, hire a contractor who is licensed with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). To verify a license, call MHIC at (410) 230-6309. Pennsylvania residents are protected by the state's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) which requires contractors to register with the Attorney General's Office. Additionally, "these contractors must maintain minimum insurance coverage and utilize contractors that comply with a number of consumer protection requirements specified in this law."
You can visit the Department of State's website to confirm that the contractor is registered in Pennsylvania. Of course, registering with HICPA or being licensed through MHIC does not speak to the contractor's competency or skill level.
3. Ensure the contractor carries the proper insurance - If your contractor has employees, it is critical that the contractor carries proper and sufficient workers' comp insurance. It is also important that they carry general liability and business auto insurance. Ask for certificates of insurance (COIs) and keep those in your files. COIs are issued by an insurance company or broker and summarize key aspects of the contractor's insurance policy.
4. Verify insurance for every contractor or subcontractor - Verifying everyone's insurance sounds like a lot of work when all you're trying to do is make some improvements to your home, but this step should not be overlooked. Requesting COIs from all contractors and subcontractors will give you peace of mind.
5. Request a written estimate before work begins - Don't be shy about asking the contractor for a written estimate. In Pennsylvania, it's the law. Thanks to HICPA, contractors are required to provide "an initial cost estimate in writing to the owner before any performance of the home improvement commences." What's more, according to Pennsylvania's Attorney General's office, "the cost of the services to be performed under the time and materials provided may not exceed 10% above the dollar value indicated in the initial cost estimate."
6. Don't get stuck with unfinished work - Although the majority of contractors are honest and want to do a great job for you, some homeowners have fully paid their contractors only to never see them again, even if the job is incomplete. The best way to prevent that from happening is to pay the contractor as the work is done; not in a lump sum at the beginning of the project. Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Act states: "If a contract is more than $5,000, the contractor cannot accept a deposit greater than one-third of the contract price, or one-third of the contract price plus the cost of special-order materials." Make the final payment to the contractor when the job is complete and both you and the contractor agree all the work is finished to the specifications outlined in the contract.
Whether your next home improvement project is big or small, these tips will help you find the right contractor for your home. And remember, if problems do arise, help from Keller-Brown is simply a phone call away.
For more helpful guidelines to ensure you make the best choice when hiring a contractor, request our resource, "Tips for Hiring Contractors" by emailing Sarah Brown at sarahb@keller-brown.com.
Once your home improvement project is complete, it may be time to update your insurance policy. More information on when to report updates to your insurance agent can be found in this article.
