Tips from UP’s Disaster Survivor volunteers on hiring a contractor and the rebuilding process

Tips from a home builder’s trade association.

Questions to ask:

• Will I get a detailed, line-item estimate and schedule?
• Will I get full-time supervision? Who?
• Who handles permits?
• Who helps me select materials and finishes?
• Do you have a contractor’s license?
• Do you have a business license?
• Do you have Worker’s Compensation insurance?
• How much General Liability insurance do you have?
• How many jobs do you do at one time?
• What experience do you have with similar work?
• Do you have references? (contact both business and client references)
• What type of contract do you use?
• Have you worked with the designer before?
• Have you worked in our City/neighborhood?
• Who is my emergency contact? How available are they?
• Will we have weekly site meetings?
• How will you protect my property?
• How often do you bill us?
• How do you keep track of change orders?
• How often do you update the schedule?
• Where will materials and tools be stored? How about toilet facilities? Phone?