Questions to Ask When Hiring a Restoration Contractor

When disaster strikes your home or business, you will need the help of restoration professionals. Whether the damage involves a fallen tree, water, fire, or mold there is a specialized contractor in the business of helping people like you.

Maven is a great example of a restoration company that works hard to help its customers. We would like to share five tips to help you choose a responsible contractor for your restoration job. These tips will lead you to qualified professionals who won’t complicate the damage but will restore what you’ve lost.

Tip 1: Ask if the contractor is licensed.

It is important to hire a licensed contractor. This will ensure your contractor is a legitimate professional and not someone who wants to take advantage of you.

See the license in writing. To do this, ask to see a physical copy of the license or check the license online. Almost every state has an online database of licensed contractors sorted by business and, or contractor name. Check the expiration date and ensure the license is still in good standing.

Note: By law, the contractor you hire must have a license if your restoration project requires any building materials to be removed from the work site.

Tip 2: Ensure the contractor has experience.

Experience is important. In Florida, a general contractor’s license requires over four years of experience. This means a license will ensure your contractor is an honest businessperson, and it will ensure he or she has adequate experience for the job. Any experience beyond the license minimum just means he or she is better prepared for your restoration job.

Also talk with the contractor about his or her experience. Here is a question you might start the conversation with: “How many restoration jobs like mine have you completed in the last year?” This is a great prompt for the contractor to discuss specific know-how. You should try to gauge the amount of knowledge the contractor really has about restoration jobs — especially ones like yours.

Tip 3: Check for proper certification.

A certification will help ensure a restoration-job well done. There are about 30 different certifications a contractor can have. Restoration certifications include: water damage restoration, commercial drying, fire and smoke restoration, and mold remediation. Ask yourself: “What type of damage has occurred in my home or business? Water, fire, mold?” Talk to your contractor about his or her certifications in the area of your concern.

Tip 4: Ask for references.

A good contractor will happily provide you with references. Online reviews are a great place to start. If you want to ensure you that you hire a quality restoration contractor, speak with past customers or businesses that have worked with the contractor you are considering. The goal is to make sure the contractor in question has been honest in other business dealings and that he or she does not cut corners to get to the end result.

Tip 5: Remember the red flags.

Red flag 1: The contractor requires cash payments or up-front payments in full.

Red flag 2: The contractor requires that you use leftover materials from his or her last job.

Legitimate contractors will not ask you to do those things. So, do not hire a contractor that raises a red flag.

We hope our advice will lead you to a company that will handle your restoration job with care and excellence. Whether you currently seek a restoration contractor or will need to do so in the future — remember our five tips and let them guide your search.

If you would like to learn more about Maven Construction Group, or for more resources concerning fire, water or mold remediation, contact us today.