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Home > Consumer Guide > Legal Issues
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Legal Issues
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Most people have no idea about the legal issues surrounding having someone do work in their home. Below are some
things that you need to know and why you need to know them, along with the right questions to ask.
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Here’s what you need to know, why you need to know it and the right questions to ask to find out:
- Do you have a current business license and/or contractor license (if your local government laws require it)?
If they don’t, beware. A valid business license is the most crucial item for any business owner,
regardless of industry. If the service provider you’re considering can’t obtain this fundamental
document, you might want to consider other aspects of their business practices.
Unlicensed contractors who only work in the summer to make extra cash probably don’t invest as much
in their own quality equipment as full time contractors do. Established contractors have credit
accounts with their suppliers, but a non-professional may ask you to pay for his or her materials
before he or she starts work. If a contractor does not pay a supplier, that supplier could come
after you for payment.
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Unlicensed contractors who run into problems on the job may not be experienced enough to solve them.
Nothing stops them from walking away from a mess with your money. Even if they intend to be fair,
cheap prices won’t allow for any warranty work months or a year from now. If you hire a company
and it utilizes independent contractors, each one should have liability insurance, otherwise you
might be liable for injuries or mistakes made on their part.
- Do you have proof of insurance?
If you hire an uninsured contractor and he or she gets injured while working on your property, you
can be responsible to pay for medical and possible rehabilitation expenses and can be sued.
A legitimate contractor should be able to show you their current worker’s compensation policy, their
liability insurance and a dishonesty bond that covers you if someone steals anything from your home.
*Many local governments do not require licensing for projects under
a certain dollar amount, so smaller projects may not require a licensed contractor.
- Do you have letters of reference from your bank suppliers to show that bills are paid and that
you are in good financial standing?
If a contractor goes out of business during your job, and they don’t pay their suppliers, you could be responsible for
covering the amount. Essentially you’ll have to pay twice for work that may not have even been completed. For your protection,
demand a “lien release waiver” at the end of the job.
- Do you have letters of reference from past customers that I can contact?
One way to check a company’s performance is to ask past customers what their experience was like.
If someone cannot give you customer references, beware.
To review what Handyman Matters’ customers are saying, click here.
- Do you have a written safety program and follow safe work practice?
Ask to see the documentation. The best safe work practice is to avoid accidents altogether, so insurance does not come into play.
Handyman Matters has a 53-page safety manual that you are welcome to review.
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Questions to ask:
- Do you have a current business license and/or contractor license (if your local government laws require it)?
- Do you have proof of insurance?
- Do you have letters of reference from your bank suppliers to show that bills are paid and that you are in good financial standing?
- Do you have letters of reference from past customers that I can contact?
- Do you have a written safety program and follow safe work practice?
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Consumer Guide Contents
- Making Sure The Job Gets Done Right the First Time
- Making Sure They Can Do the Work
- Ensuring Your Contractor Will be on Time
- Making Sure You Get a Fair Price and the Final Bill Won’t Exceed the Quote
- Types of Home Improvement Quotes
- Ensuring Craftspersons Won’t Be Rude or Messy
- Communication and Job Progress Updates
- Guarantee
- Availability
- Legal Issues
- Convenient Contractor Check-List
(21 Questions to Ask to Make Sure Your Project Gets Done on Time and on Budget)
- Letter from the Handyman Matters President and Founder
Printable Version of the Consumer Guide.
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Thank you very much for a job well done. The craftsman was a good worker. I am very pleased with all of your work and extra effort to make the job turn out great.
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