Maintaining a business property can be expensive, especially when there’s unforeseen damage such as natural disasters. Even if your property is insured, you need to find a reputable contractor who is going to do good work. Here are some tips on finding the right company to do the job.
Get Several Estimates
Say you need your roof fixed for hail damage. Getting an estimate is not just about the lowest cost. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals. Get as many estimates as you need to make an informed decision. For each roofer you contact, verify they are licensed and insured. Get their legal business name and check each with the local chamber of commerce and the Better Business Bureau, too.
Ask Them Questions
You should learn the terms that professional contractors use so you can understand them. If any you interview use unfamiliar terms, ask for specifics. They should be willing and even eager to explain everything to you. If they aren't, that's a big red flag. For example, if you need your roof repaired, some examples of questions include:
- What type of flashing will you use?
How is the pipe boot sealed off?
How do you install the valleys?
How many nails are used for each shingle?
Are your roof components part of a complete, matching system?
Be Sure the Contractor Is an Expert at the Task
While there are a number of different jobs that any general contractor will do, it makes a lot of sense to work within a contractor's area of expertise. For example, metal roofing skills are different from the skill set that it takes to put composite roofing on a structure. While this can be figured out, working with an expert in the type of job you want done means that you don't have to be the property where your contractor trains themselves. This means that they will be less likely to make mistakes and that they will probably work more quickly than someone who is learning something new
If you want to see the quality of work that your contractor has done before hiring them, ask if you can see examples of properties that they have worked on before. If they are public buildings, you can even visit them to look closely at the quality of their work.
Once you have verified that the contractor is legitimate, has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau, and answers your questions to your satisfaction, ask them to estimate the job. Even if an insurance adjuster made an estimate, you can get others. The contractor may see some damage that the adjuster missed.
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