Salem Community Patriot | April 13, 2012 - 9


Area News Group


Home e


Improvement


Planning Spring Home Improvements? How to Find the Right Contractor


You’ve got a list of spring home improvements to do, a vision for getting them done, and you even have a budget. Now all you need is someone to do the work; it’s time to hire a contractor. Yet even the best-laid home improvement plans can go awry if you hire the wrong person or com- pany to do the job. Even if this is your first home improvement project, and


your first time hiring a contractor, you’ve probably heard some horror stories: contractors who overcharge, under- estimate the actual cost of a job, drag a project out weeks longer than it should take, or simply leave a job unfinished. While the majority of contractors are honest, you still need to check a contractor’s business license, and the business’s financial stability, before you hire anyone for your spring home improvement project. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can help ensure


you choose the right contractor for your job: Find out about his finances


Credit issues are common during difficult financial


times. While the presence of issues concerning a contract- ing company’s financial background doesn’t necessarily mean the owner is a bad person, credit problems could di- rectly affect his ability to do a job. Contractors with limited access to credit may be unable to buy the materials they need or hire the help required to complete your project. Online resources like ContractorCheck.com, by Experi- an, can help you check a contractor’s credentials. Experian maintains a database of more than 5 mil- lion contractors and their businesses’ information, and ContractorCheck.com allows you to view this data, which includes critical information such as: * Company name, address and phone number * Multiple operating addresses * How long the company has been in business * License, bonding and insurance information * Contractor specialties * A credit review that will reveal any past col- lection or derogatory credit events * An easy-to-understand contractor rating Additionally, ContractorCheck.com reports in-


clude public record information such as liens or judgments against the business - important information considering that according to a recent review of Experian’s database, 8.4 percent of contractors had a lien on file and 6.2 per- cent had a judgment filed against them.


Stay alert for signs of trouble Most contractors operate within the law, but it pays to


know the warning signs of one who is not honorable and honest. Consider these tips from the Federal Trade Com- mission: * Contractors who solicit door-to-door, only accept cash


or who don’t have a phone number associated with a valid business address should ring your warning bell. Beware of offers to discount a job by a contractor who says he will use materials left over from a previous project. * Steer clear of contractors who expect you to obtain necessary permits for your project, or who want you to find them new customers in exchange for discounts. It’s his responsibility to obtain permits and new customers. * If a contractor’s offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch for warning signs like an extremely long guarantee period or an offer to discount your job as a “demonstration.” * Shut down contractors who engage in high-pressure


continued to page 10- Contractor


39 Rockingham Road (Route 28) Windham, NH 03087 Annual


Deck Day! Meet the Experts


Sat., April 21st 10-4pm


Meet the experts in decking, railings and fasteners! Top Deck System


Manufacturer Reps on Site!


Speak with local contractors who specialize in the installation of deck systems. Special Savings and Offers through-out the day!


TigerClaw Hidden Deck Fasteners


Ed Lenzi


603-880-5094 Hudson, NH


All Your Remodeling Needs! LenziConstruction@Gmail.com


Additions • Basements • Bathrooms • Custom Decks Hardwood & Laminate Flooring Kitchens • Windows & Doors Replacement Windows


www.LenziConstruction.com 898-5000 &Home Center www.cyrlumber.com


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Cook-out


Free


Spring k


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