As we all know, when working with someone or a company for a service or product, it’s important to have a contract stating the duties of each party. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these same rules apply to contracting, too. You can figure out the average cost of a bathroom remodel, you can get a kitchen estimate, hash out your remodel bathroom ideas, and even budget your remodeling, but before a hammer hits a nail, you better make sure a contract is signed! Unfortunately, deciding and signing with a contractor is not an easy task, and we here at Mihalko’s General Contracting know it. That’s why we’ve created a list of several things a homeowner should look for when deciding and signing with a contractor.
- A place of business. Our areas have fallen victim to many out of area contractors that come by to fix up your home and then vanish into thin air – leaving homeowners and suppliers alike empty handed. To avoid this plague, avoid “storm chasers” at all costs by ALWAYS looking for an address. Make sure that the address is within one hour of your home address and verify the address by calling the phone number. It’s important to make sure that your contractor is a reliable and reputable one!
- License and registration please. A reputable contractor will be licensed in the state that they practice in. This number will be on all advertisements and should also be listed in the contract. The license number for Mihalko’s General Contracting is PA003972.
- Scope of work. A contract should list out exactly what is going into a project. It should describe all work being done, all materials being purchased, and/or materials that still need to be picked out. It should show any responsibilities of the homeowner, such as painting, if they choose to do it themselves.
- Payments. A contract should also show how the contractor will be paid. Whether it be 50% up front, 50% upon completion, 1/3 at different stages, or any other percentage of payment at different stages, make sure the contract clearly states this. This will help the homeowner budget and know when to have a check ready without being surprised.
- What you don’t see. A contract should also have a simple clause stating that there may be some issues that arise during a project that are unforeseen. Perhaps a pipe needs repaired, or a foundation needs fixed, this clause should cover any things that a contractor may not know until they start tearing things up. While the homeowner should always know of this possibility, it doesn’t hurt to have it stated in the contract.
A home improvement project should not be taken lightly and neither should your contract with the contractor. To ensure a smooth remodel process, have all things in place before the project is started. When you deal with an experienced contracting company like Mihalko’s General Contracting, you can count on a contract that touches upon all of the above and more. So when it comes time for a home remodel, call a contracting company you can trust. Call a general contracting company that has been serving the Johnstown PA, Latrobe PA and Altoona PA area for over 34 years. Call Mihalko’s General Contracting for your home remodeling needs!
