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<br />-~,- <br /> <br />Selecting a Contractor <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />It is essential to find a good contractor to handle difficult repair jobs or to rebuild. Here is how to locate one. <br /> <br />Sleuthing <br /> <br />If you have been satisfied with work done before by a local licensed contractor, use that firm. If you haven't used a contractor before, <br />or if you were unhappy with a previous experience, you may have to do some investigating to increase your chances of gelling a good <br />one. <br /> <br />.. Ask the contractor for proof of insurance. This should include a completion bond, disability and worker's compensation <br />insurance. Otherwise, you may be liable for accidents occurring on your property. <br /> <br />.. Check on the firm's reputation. Ask the local Better Business Bureau, home builders association, or building trades council. <br />They can tell you if the firm has had unanswered complaints filed against it. <br /> <br />.. Ask for references. Reputable contractors should <br />be willing to provide names of previous customers. <br />Contact some of them and ask how well they were <br />satisfied with the job done. Ask if they would hire <br />that contractor again. <br /> <br />Get it in writing <br /> <br />No matter how well you lmow the contractor or how much <br />you trust ltimlher, get everything related to the job in writing. <br /> <br />.. Get a written estimate. It should include everything <br />you expect the contractor to do. Some contractors <br />charge a fee for an estimate. <br /> <br />.. Obtain a contract. The contract should be complete <br />and clearly state all the work, costs, and payment <br />schedule. Never sign a blank contract or one with <br />blank spaces. It may be worthwhile to have yonr <br />anomey look it over if a lot of money is involved. <br /> <br />.. Ask for guarantees. Any guarantees from the <br />contractor should be written into the contract. It <br />should include what is guaranteed, who is <br />responsible for the guarantee '(deale~ contractor, <br />manufacturer) and the length of time for which the <br />guarantee is valid. <br /> <br />.. Get a final contract. A signed contract is binding on <br />both you and the contractor. Don't sign completion <br />papers or make the final payment until the work is <br />completed to your satisfaction and approved by your <br />local building inspector. <br /> <br />ProJectmg tour Homeftom Flood Damage, Re\ised 1996, 2nd Edition <br />Federal EmergenC\' ~1:l!lagemcrJt ,~~enC\- <br /> <br />Beware of Disrel?utable <br />Business Activities <br /> <br />Areas recovering from floods are often prime targets for <br />less-than-honest business activities. Here are some POints. <br />to help safeguard against such practices: <br /> <br />.. llew3re of "special deals" offered after a disaster by <br />contractors you don'tlmow. <br /> <br />.. BewareofunImown contractors wanting to use your <br />house as a "model home." <br /> <br />.. Do not sign any contract under pressure by a <br />salesperson. Federal law requires a three day <br />coofin~ffperiod for unsolicited door-to-door sales <br />of more than $25. If you choose to cancel such a <br />contract within three business days of signing i~ send <br />your cancellation by registered mail. <br /> <br />.. Beware if you are asked to pay cash on the spot <br />instead of a check made out to the contracting <br />company, A reasonable down payment is up to 30% <br />of the total project cost. <br /> <br />.. Your contractor should call you or a qualified <br />observer to inspect hidden work (e.g" sewers or <br />basement wall) before it is covered over. Most <br />building departments must inspect electrical and. <br />plumbing lines before the walls are covered with <br />wallboard or paneling. <br /> <br />4 <br />