May is National Home Improvement Month! Join New York Sash every week for information on important values to look for when choosing a contractor.
Week 1: Stability
Every reliable home improvement company should have a good track record. If you are unable to find one, there’s your first red flag. Look for tangible proof of longevity and stability by asking for the right documents and making sure they don’t just work out of a trailer. Ask for their bank and supplier letters and visit their showroom location!
Company Tangibles
Many contractors will use a pickup truck as an office or a showroom. Make sure that the contractor you choose is substantial enough to have his sales, accounting, & installation functions within an office. Do not fall for the oldest trick in the book of contractors using their past customer’s homes as their showroom. If they cannot afford to have all of their products on display – stay away.
Bank Letter & Supplier Letter
Every home improvement company should have a bank & supplier letter ready to show their customers. The contractors bank letter will measure the company’s financial stability & show the banks approval of character. The supplier letter is the written confirmation of the company’s business with a supplier of the products they are selling. If either of these are difficult for the contractor to obtain- switch lanes!
Insurance Certificate
Every contractor should have general liability insurance. A sizable contractor will carry no less than half a million to a million dollars in coverage. If a contractor’s policy cannot cover potential damages, then the contractor is liable. If the contractor cannot provide coverage for the damages, you will have no legal recourse and will most likely end up paying out of pocket for everything. Over half of contractors can be financially unstable with improper or no insurance coverage, do your homework!
We at New York Sash have consistency in our character & intentions. We serve Central New York as a reliable & dependable home improvement company, so take it from us: make sure you look for these factors when choosing your next home improvement contractor!
