Licensed and Insured #RC0067361
Alan’s Roofing & Construction Inc. is licensed and insured and can provide documentation upon request… even if you do not engage our services, here are some helpful tips when looking for a roofing contractor:
How to Choose the Right Contractor: Questions to Ask Before Inviting Him Out To Your Home. Are you licensed? Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. In the State of Florida, all contractors MUST be either certified by the State ( if they have a statewide license), or registered with the State (if they have a countywide license). Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date and the county if it’s a countywide license. Being licensed is the law. If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, BE WARY! Make sure your contractor carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contractor and/or his employees. The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing and/or repairing any damage that occurs. Anyone can say they are insured.
Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? Your contractor should provide you with a written lien waiver at the end of the job. This is a legal document which says you, the homeowner, have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered and the contractor waives his right to place a mechanic’s lien on your property. If during the course of construction you receive any Notice to Owner documents from material suppliers or sub-contractors, it would be prudent to ask the contractor for a Final Release of Lien from each one prior to paying the contractor his final draw. This protects you in case the contractor doesn’t pay his material suppliers or sub-contractors after you have paid him in full.
Will you pull all the required building permits? Make sure your contractor pulls all required permits. This is very important. When a contractor pulls the required building permits, you know things will be done to “code”. Also, many homeowners’ insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home properly covered. Not all contractors will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the “hassle” with the inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.
Do you guarantee your work? Yes!. Your contractor should guarantee his work for a least one year from date of completion. Who will be in charge of the job? Make sure the contractor or his foreman is on the job or inspects whenever work is being performed - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect of your project. If you won’t be home during the construction and must leave the houses unlocked, or leave a key with the contractor, you must feel comfortable. You can’t be worried about what is going on when you are not there.
Will you provide me with written references? A good contractor will be happy to provide you with references. You should look for a well-established contractor who can give you several client references from the last 6 months to one year.
What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? When a significant source of a contractor’s business is derived from repeat and referral business, it usually indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they’ve received.
How do you handle “dirty work”? Construction is dusty and dirty! It gets everywhere, especially if removal is being done. Make sure the contractor agrees to sweep up and place all construction debris in a predetermined place or refuse container at the end of every day.
Copyright © 2011 Alans Roofing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
How to Choose the Right Contractor: Questions to Ask Before Inviting Him Out To Your Home. Are you licensed? Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. In the State of Florida, all contractors MUST be either certified by the State ( if they have a statewide license), or registered with the State (if they have a countywide license). Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date and the county if it’s a countywide license. Being licensed is the law. If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, BE WARY! Make sure your contractor carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contractor and/or his employees. The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing and/or repairing any damage that occurs. Anyone can say they are insured.
Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? Your contractor should provide you with a written lien waiver at the end of the job. This is a legal document which says you, the homeowner, have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered and the contractor waives his right to place a mechanic’s lien on your property. If during the course of construction you receive any Notice to Owner documents from material suppliers or sub-contractors, it would be prudent to ask the contractor for a Final Release of Lien from each one prior to paying the contractor his final draw. This protects you in case the contractor doesn’t pay his material suppliers or sub-contractors after you have paid him in full.
Will you pull all the required building permits? Make sure your contractor pulls all required permits. This is very important. When a contractor pulls the required building permits, you know things will be done to “code”. Also, many homeowners’ insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home properly covered. Not all contractors will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the “hassle” with the inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.
Do you guarantee your work? Yes!. Your contractor should guarantee his work for a least one year from date of completion. Who will be in charge of the job? Make sure the contractor or his foreman is on the job or inspects whenever work is being performed - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect of your project. If you won’t be home during the construction and must leave the houses unlocked, or leave a key with the contractor, you must feel comfortable. You can’t be worried about what is going on when you are not there.
Will you provide me with written references? A good contractor will be happy to provide you with references. You should look for a well-established contractor who can give you several client references from the last 6 months to one year.
What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? When a significant source of a contractor’s business is derived from repeat and referral business, it usually indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they’ve received.
How do you handle “dirty work”? Construction is dusty and dirty! It gets everywhere, especially if removal is being done. Make sure the contractor agrees to sweep up and place all construction debris in a predetermined place or refuse container at the end of every day.
Copyright © 2011 Alans Roofing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
