Key Takeaways:
– Asking the right questions before hiring a masonry contractor can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
– Be sure to ask about the contractor’s experience, licensing, insurance information, and process for handling repairs.
– Get multiple estimates before making your final decision.
Planning to get some masonry work done? Since masonry work is notoriously expensive and time-consuming, you must find an expert and highly experienced contractor for your project.
But before you start interviewing contractors, you should know a few things. Purcell’s Paving and Masonry cares about your masonry repair project in Watchung, NJ. Therefore, we want to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your home.
Here are a few things to ask your masonry contractor before hiring:
1. Are you licensed?
A licensed business means a safe transaction, so you must ask your masonry contractor if they have a license. Review their business license and make sure it’s real and not fake. Fraudulent contractors have been known to create counterfeit authorizations, so always be sure to check before falling for a scam.
2. Do you have liability insurance?
Liability insurance means that your contractor is protected against any damages to your property during the repair process. Assuming that something goes wrong, you want to be sure that your contractor’s insurance will cover the costs of the repairs. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a hefty bill because your contractor wasn’t insured.
3. Do you have a clearance certificate?
Some states require masonry contractors to have a clearance certificate to work on properties. This certificate proves that the contractor has undergone a background check and is cleared to work on your property. Check with your state’s requirements to see if this is something you need to verify before making a final deal with a contractor.
4. Do you have a health and safety policy?
Not all employers have a formal health and safety policy, but it’s always good to ask. After all, you want to be sure that your contractor is taking the necessary precautions to protect you, your family, and your property. If the contractor does not have a formal policy, you can inquire about what kind of safety procedures they follow.
5. Can you provide a supplier endorsement?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering what a supplier endorsement has to do with hiring a masonry contractor. A supplier endorsement is a statement from the company that supplies the bricks, mortar, and other necessary materials for construction. It endorses and recommends the contractor who will be doing the work. It’s a way for the supplier to vouch for the contractor, and it’s an essential step in getting approval from the city or county to do the work.
6. Do you have a permanent place of business?
Remember that you want a trusted business, not nomads. Ask the contractor if they have a permanent place of business. You might wonder, “But I don’t need to visit them. Why does it matter?” Well, if they don’t have a place of business, it may be because they’re not well established.
7. Can you provide consumer protection endorsement?
Make sure the Consumer Protection Agency endorses general contractors. Through such an endorsement, you can be sure that the contractor is reputable and has a good track record. It is also a sign that customers in the past have had better things to say about the contractor. You will be protected if they fail to deliver what they promise.
8. What is your experience?
Your masonry contractor’s experience will matter a great deal. It’s always better to go with a contractor who has been in the business for many years and has handled projects similar to yours. What even matters more is their experience with the particular type of project you are planning to undertake. For example, if you want your brick chimney repaired, you would like to go with a contractor with experience repairing brick fireplaces.
9. Do you offer a warranty?
You ask your potential masonry contractor to put their money where their mouth is by asking for a written warranty policy. This will give you some mental relaxation knowing that they will stand by their workmanship should any problems arise.
10. Can you provide references?
References and recommendations go a long way in helping you decide whether or not to hire a masonry contractor. Now don’t merely rely on the contacts provided by the contractor themselves, be sure to do some digging and get in touch with some of their past clients to get an honest opinion. An easy way could be to search online reviews on Google.
11. Can you show some photos of completed projects?
You can’t just rely on the contractor’s word that they’re good at their job. You’ll want to see some proof. Ask to see before and after photographs of past projects, or even better, visit one of their job sites and see the work for yourself.
12. Can you give me the proof of tax number?
A tax number is essential to show that the contractor is legitimate and has all their paperwork in order. You can ask if you feel something is amiss, but most reputable contractors will have no problem providing this information.
13. What kind of masonry work do you provide?
You’ll want to ensure that the general contractor you hire can do the job you need. Ask about their specific services and what kinds of masonry work they can provide.
Ending Note:
Hiring a masonry contractor is a big decision, so you’ll want to make sure you ask precisely what you should do before signing on the dotted line. With these essential questions, you can rest assured that you’re not making a misstep.
General Contractor in Watchung, NJ
Purcell’s Paving and Masonry, serving Watchung, NJ, and the surrounding areas, is a fully licensed and insured masonry contractor specializing in all aspects of paving and masonry work for commercial and residential customers. We offer an expansive variety of services to meet your needs, including but not limited to masonry work, chimney repair, asphalt paving, and concrete sidewalks.
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