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We have over 75,000 Florida home improvement contractor listings with complete contact and detailed information. Find a professional, licensed home improvement service by searching our extensive Florida database. Read about how to choose a home improvement contractor, what improvements to make before selling your house, and the most popular home improvement projects.
Sometimes it makes sense to hire a professional rather than do a job yourself. But - choosing the wrong contractor can lead to delays, shoddy work, and even legal problems. We have tips to help you choose a contractor and ensure a good working relationship.
Continue reading below for more tips...
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Alachua FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Alford FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Altamonte Springs FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Altha FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Altoona FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Alva FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Andalusia FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Anna Maria FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Anthony FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Apalachicola FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Apollo Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Apopka FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Arcadia FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Archer FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Aripeka FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Astatula FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Astor FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Atlantic Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Auburndale FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Avon Park FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Babson Park FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bagdad FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Baker FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Balm FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Barberville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bartow FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bell FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Belle Glade FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Belleair Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Belleview FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Beverly Hills FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Big Pine Key FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Birmingham FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Blairsville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Blountstown FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Boca Grande FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Boca Raton FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bokeelia FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bonifay FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bonita Springs FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bostwick FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bowling Green FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Boynton Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bradenton FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bradenton Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Brandon FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Branford FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bristol FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bronson FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Brooker FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Brooksville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bryceville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bunnell FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Bushnell FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Callahan FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Campbellton FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Candler FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cantonment FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cape Canaveral FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cape Coral FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Captiva FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Carrabelle FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Caryville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cassadaga FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Casselberry FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cedar Key FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Center Hill FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Central Point FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Century FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Chattahoochee FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Chiefland FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Chipley FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Christmas FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Citra FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clarcona FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clarksville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clearwater FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clearwater Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clermont FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cleveland FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Clewiston FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cocoa FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cocoa Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Coleman FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Columbus FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cortez FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cottondale FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cottonwood FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crawfordville FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crescent City FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crestview FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Cross City FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crystal Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crystal River FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Crystal Springs FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Dade City FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Dania FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Davenport FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
Daytona Beach FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
De Leon Springs FL, Home Improvement Companies | Contractors in this City |
A contractor could be in your home and around your family for days, weeks, or even months while changing the way your house looks and functions. So, if you don't like a contractor for any reason, don't hire him or her.
The biggest thing to focus on is choosing the right contractor. If he embellishes even a little, that's enough of a reason not to trust him and move on to the next contractor. You must trust the contractor 100 percent, not 95 percent.
Make Sure the Contractor is Licensed to Work in Your Area: Bonded and Insured: Having a license and insurance demonstrates a contractor's credibility and knowledge. A license minimizes the risk to homeowners of getting ripped off and be sure to ask for the license number. If a contractor doesn't have insurance and a worker gets hurt on your project, you could be liable. The same goes with accidents that damage your neighbor's home. For example, if you have scaffolding that fell and damaged the property next door, you want the contractor's liability to cover the cost of that damage. Get proof of insurance.
Pick a contractor who specializes in your type of project: It's important to research contractors to know if they have experience in a particular project. Today, so many projects are regulated and code specific that you want someone who knows the details of what is required. A professional will take classes and will research the kinds of projects they undertake, so they're experts in their field. This enables them to address potential problems and perform the work correctly. A good remodeler knows how to anticipate the nuances of the work. If you're asking several contractors for a bid, make sure each one is using the same set of plans and specifications. You can't effectively compare estimates from contractors who plan to use different brands of building materials, for example.
Have a detailed contract in place before work starts: The contract should cover costs, brands of items being installed, approximate start and finish dates, and the complete set of drawings being used with written specifications. There's never too much detail in a contract. If a specific brand for a part hasn't been agreed upon yet, the contract can include allowances instead, for example - up to $500 for a front door. A lot of homeowners talk to several contractors to get bids on the job, and then they can't remember who told them what. The contract spells out everything. A contract is really an expectation setting, right down to what color the hinges are. It's all about expectations. If we agree on everything upfront, then there are no surprises.
Find out who is really doing the work: Will the person you're hiring actually do the work himself, or will it be subcontracted to someone else? It's good to know who will be showing up on your doorstep, and large jobs like additions and major kitchen remodels often involve several subcontractors, such as electricians and plumbers. General contractors often subcontract specialty jobs, like roofing or vinyl siding, to others. Having subcontractors is good, because they have a more thorough knowledge of their part of the job. It all goes back to hiring a contractor you can trust because won't put a bad subcontractor on your job.
Give the contractor guidelines for working in and around your home: If you don't want the workers showing up before a certain time, staying past a certain hour, using your bathroom, or you need to have the project finished by a specific date, tell the contractor before you hire him. The contractor may not want or be able to accept the job based on your parameters. The contractor must know what your limits are and what your expectations are. If you don't want the workers starting until 9:30 and out by 4, that project - instead of taking 30 days - might take 45 days. That means it might cost you more money.
Know what your responsibilities are: You may have to move everything out of a room so it can be painted or remove a fence so a concrete truck can be driven into your backyard. Some companies, for example, don't move items out of a room because they don't want to be responsible for broken TVs or stereos. You may have to hire a furniture mover. Your contractor should discuss these things with you before starting the job. Always make sure that you know your responsibilities before work starts. It's best to have that in writing, in the contract.
Ask about a construction lien law: Under the construction lien law in Florida, anyone who worked on or supplied materials to your project and is not paid can place a lien on your home. This means that even if you pay your contractor, but he doesn't pay the lumberyard for your materials, you can be liable for that bill. Check on your contractor's legal status before you sign anything. If a contractor owes $30,000 from his last job, there's a good chance your money is going to pay the bills on that last job. If a contractor has a lien against him, it's best to move on and avoid a potentially messy and expensive situation.
Check the contractors previous work: Looking at work the contractor has already done, gives you a good idea of the quality of the work and lets you see the variety of work the company has performed, such as contemporary, Craftsman, or historic designs.
Think local: Area contractors who have been in business for a long time are usually reliable and a safe bet for projects. If they didn't do quality work in your community, they wouldn't still be in business. A local company is generally involved in the community, the workers are probably local, and if you have a problem later, a local contractor is going to be on top of it.
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