Seven Key Questions to Consider …

For those of you who maybe just don’t have the time, physical ability or even the confidence level to do the work yourself – Perma-Chink Systems offers an extensive referral list of log home contractors from coast to coast.

So let’s say you’ve decided not to do the work on your home and have chosen instead to hire it done. You’ve gotten a list of several referrals from Perma-Chink Systems or other sources. Now what?

The First Step – Get Smart! A very important first step before interviewing any contractor is to educate yourself.  Perma-Chink Systems can help you better understand the steps and nuances of your project. You can attend one of our free homeowner workshops, read through our literature and application guides or call one of our log home specialists to walk you through the process and related products. Better yet, our website www.permachink.com offers the most detailed How-To tips in the industry, downloadable brochures, online ordering of products and free samples, plus live online help with a specialist via chat session, e-mail or phone. The more you know about your upcoming project, the better you can ask the right questions and understand the answers from the contractors. So please don’t overlook this important step! Obviously, you’ll want to interview all the contractors to determine their reliability, reputation and experience as well as their procedures that best meet your individual needs. So here are 7 key questions to ask each contractor during the bid process.  

The 7 Key Questions you should ask each contractor candidate:

1. What is the full name and address of the contractor’s company?

   Getting the complete address of the company can be an important factor in determining a company's time in business. If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well. Many contractors today have their own websites, making the answers to this and the next few questions fairly easy to find.

2. Does the contractor carry insurance?

   A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a job accident. This can be verified by asking to see certificates of insurance. Contractors may carry other kinds of insurance including health, life and auto. Bland assurances of insurance coverage may refer to these. Don't be confused. Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage for the type of project.

   Now, there are also contractors who do not carry insurance. They will most likely be cheaper to hire as they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Workers' compensation premiums can increase wage costs by about 20% or even higher.

   Ultimately it is up to you to determine if it is worth the risk to hire a contractor who does not carry insurance.

3. Is the contractor licensed or credentialed?

   Ask if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city. Not all states require contractors to be licensed. Check with your local licensing authority.

   A contractor may also answer this question by telling you they have a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor's competence. Homeowners can view a contractor's credentials as another indicator of their degree of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to their trade. So ask for copies of all licenses and credentials.
   

4. How long has the contractor been in business?

   Needless to say, longer is usually better.  Less than three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start sometime. Be sure to ask how long they’ve been doing log home work.

   References are helpful to research any business and especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer contractor may have a great future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering their references.

5. Will the company provide references from previous jobs?

   Ask for photos of completed work, if available. Most experienced log home contractors will have a portfolio of past jobs, along with photos and testimonial letters. Request a list of 5 names and phone numbers of recent customers (last 12 months). It is not necessary to check all 5, but you will be able to pick randomly from the list those you do call. So ask for (even demand) current references.

6. What is the contractor’s workmanship warranty?

   Some contractors typically warrant their workmanship for one year or more. Longer warranties are not necessarily more valuable than shorter warranties. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the contractor to stand behind his warranty. That is best evaluated using customer references.

   Ask the contractor’s customers specifically for information about these four things:

   1. Did they perform the work in a timely and professional manner?
   2. Were they accessible and responsive when asked for information and changes?
   3. Did they act as if they cared about the customer’s interests?
   4. Would you call the contractor trustworthy?
7. What is the contractor’s track record for solving customer complaints?

   Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise. Request a referral from at least one job that involved a complaint. Ask the contractor if they have ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if their contractor's license has ever been suspended and why.

   Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved to test your contractor's reputation.

“An Ounce of Prevention”

When it comes to caring for your log home, it's reassuring to know that you can choose a contractor on whom you can rely on for good advice as well trust that they’re dedicated to providing you with the best results possible. It takes a little more work to do this “homework”, but it can definitely be worth it. Hopefully, these first few steps will help you in selecting your contractor. Again, Perma-Chink Systems is happy to offer you all our products and resources to make this process a successful experience.
Again, call us for a referral to an experience contractor in your area. Most of these contractors are self-employed and none are affiliated with Perma-Chink Systems, but they have experience and training in using our products on log homes.

For more information regarding hiring a contractor please visit www.contractors-license.org. To order a brochure or view in PDF go to http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor