How-to Find a Construction Company to Help You

While most construction companies operate with integrity, there are some that take every opportunity to scam homeowners. It’s just an unfortunate fact of life that happens throughout the year, and ramps up during spring and summer months when people tend to focus on home improvement projects.

If you watch the news, then you’ve probably heard of contractors setting up shop for a short period of time, then leaving town after taking advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. If you haven’t heard of construction scams, then you should know that they happen all of the time, so beware if you’re trying to find a construction company that can help you. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent falling prey to scammers. Hiring the right construction company requires due diligence and knowledge of what to look for in the process.

A Strategy for Finding a Great Construction Company

For starters, you can eliminate potential issues with a quick Google search to find reviews about any company that you’re considering. There are some websites, like HomeAdvisor, that provide extensive information about construction companies. These online resources can give you details concerning the track record of a company. Another option is to contact your insurance provider for a recommendation. Given the amount of construction work they pay for, insurance companies often have a list of approved vendors that have already proven themselves. However, this might only work if the insurance company is actually paying for improvements to your home.

One of the best ways to find a construction company is by asking friends for a recommendation. It’s great because you can possibly see the company’s work and get a truly honest opinion. You can also visit the website of your local building trade association or chamber of commerce to see if they can provide a referral to a trusted construction company. These types of organizations tend to have long-term relationships with vendors, much like insurance companies. Once you have received recommendations from different sources, you’ll still want to ensure due diligence.

How to Check Out a Construction Company

In order to decide if you’ve found the right construction company, you’ll want to get their license number. This will allow you to confirm whether they are conducting business legally, which can prevent the problem of fly-by-night companies previously mentioned. You can also request their certificate of insurance because you absolutely don’t want to hire a company that doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance. When verifying their credentials and insurance, you should ask for a copy of supporting documents to confirm the information provided.

Once you have a recommendation and you’ve verified their information, you should consider asking for at least three references that you can contact. If those references are also positive, there’s a good chance that you have a great construction company.