Qualifying Your Contractors

They tell us to talk about situations we have actually gone through. They tell us to discuss issues we have with our transactions, good things we've seen take place, events etc. Well this unfortunately is a topic I've had to deal with and I think we need to make a few things clear. We love to provide information to our clients about contractors and vendors we have done work with. This is by no means a guarantee of their work or service. We have aligned ourselves with what we feel are the best, most reasonable, and most reliable. We know circumstances can affect the quality and reliability of our preferred vendors work. I've decided to outline a few thoughts on how you can make the best choice when choosing a contractor/service provider. After doing a little research, I've realized there is different advice on what exactly you should be looking for in a qualified contractor. Here are my thoughts on this:

1. Do they have a business License? - So you'd think this is pretty basic, but you would be surprised how many contractors try to get away without this. When you are registered with a business license it shows their business entity name, address, and what kind of contractor they are. What's important to look for is to see and confirm they have been an established entity for at least five years.

2. What kind of insurance do they carry? - Most sizable contractors won’t carry less than $500,000 and usually around $1,000,000 of coverage. You need to see what their insurance covers, and how it would relate to you. You need to know they will cover any damages. If they can't prove to you they can cover any damages, then in the end you wouldn't have any legal recourse if there were any issues/damages

There is alot of information out there that can assist you even more in making a careful decision. You obviously want multiple bids on your projects as well. I found some more useful information at B4UBuild.com. This is obviously not a rushed process. You want to take the time to get to know your contractor, learn about their work, ask for references or photos of past projects. Review testimonials on their website, facebook page or wherever you find them advertising. The Better Business Bureau is also a good place to start. The Move Virginia Team is ready to assist you in you in the buying and selling process and we are more than happy to supply you with a list of contractors we have qualified over the years, but ultimately you as the consumer make the final choice, so choose wisely.