• Latest

Planning a home improvement project? How to hire a quality contractor

April 15, 2014

VSAC Shows You How: Comparing Financial Aid Offers

February 23, 2021

Eraserhead (1977) 3 Stars

February 23, 2021

Public Health Leaders Urge Vermont Legislators to Prevent the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products

February 23, 2021

Bernie’s Mitten Merchandise Offers A Pathway Out of Poverty

February 23, 2021

Enjoy the 2021 Maple Season, Even Without Maple Open House Weekend

February 23, 2021
Plainfield’s Community Bagged Supper Resumes on February 23rd

Plainfield’s Community Bagged Supper Resumes on February 23rd

February 16, 2021

2021 Vermont Personal Income Tax Season Now Open

February 16, 2021

Soylent Green (1973)

February 16, 2021
My Blatant Self-Promotion

My Blatant Self-Promotion

February 16, 2021

Governor Phil Scott Announces Identity Protection Services for All 2020 Unemployment Insurance Claimants

February 16, 2021

Montpelier Alive Announces Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry Fundraiser

February 9, 2021

Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce Highlights Unclaimed Property Day and Reminds Vermonters to Search for their Missing Money

February 9, 2021
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Friday, February 26, 2021
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Planning a home improvement project? How to hire a quality contractor

by
April 15, 2014
in Home Repair
0

Dreaming of home improvement projects in the New Year? You’re not alone – many homeowners are deciding what improvement project to tackle next. As the housing market continues to strengthen, homeowners buying or selling homes are focused on curb appeal or updating new spaces, which makes now a perfect time for remodeling. In fact, a majority of U.S. Homeowners (75.5 percent) are planning one or more home improvement projects by early 2014, according to a recent HIRI Sentiment Tracking Study.

“Home improvement projects were on the rise in 2013 and I believe the numbers will continue to increase in 2014,” says Dennis Stemmle, president of ServiceLive, a free online home improvement service that connects people to quality contractors. “Hiring an experienced contractor helps homeowners get the job done right the first time, giving them peace of mind and avoiding additional costs associated with mistakes.”

Stemmle says hiring a contractor can be nerve-wracking for homeowners, who have heard too many horror stories of contractors abandoning half-completed projects, doing inferior work, or grossly misjudging costs. To avoid contractor trouble and to find a reputable contractor who will save you time and money, Stemmle suggests you ask these six questions before you make a hiring decision:

1. What is your business history?

A contractor needs to have the proper licenses and permits, so be sure to verify the person entering your home is legally able to complete the project. Also ask how long the company has been in business and where it is located. If a company is inexperienced or located far away, you might find the service inadequate. To save time and make it more convenient for consumers, ServiceLive offers a six-point background check on each of its contractors so customers can feel confident about who they hire.

2. How much is this going to cost?

Get an itemized budget containing all costs associated with the project up front. You might eliminate the highest bid to save money, but don’t necessarily go with the lowest one. If the estimate is too low, you may find the project was completed with shoddy workmanship or cheap materials.

3. Do you have references?

Always ask for references. Make phone calls and visit past projects that are similar to the one you are planning. This is a great way to learn if there have been any past issues with the contractor.

4. Who will be working at my house?

When it comes to hiring a professional for their project, 67 percent of homeowners surveyed by Houzz & Home rated a “personality I can work with” as being very important. Many homeowners are surprised that the contractor they interviewed and hired isn’t the person actually doing the work. Ask who will be working at the house and if jobs are subcontracted. ServiceLive, for example, vets contractors down to the individual worker so that there are no surprises.

5. What is the timeline for completion?

A timeline is more than just a guideline; it should be a legal and binding agreement. Make sure the timeline has a specific start and end date, including checkpoints along the way.

6. How am I protected?

Warranties are a huge benefit of hiring a contractor over doing the work yourself. A one-year warranty is standard. Find out what guarantees and warranties the contractor offers before signing the agreement. Also, verify that the contractor is licensed and insured to work and get proof before starting a project.

“ServiceLive only recommends experienced, honest and efficient contractors who have passed a rigorous background check and are bonded. The service takes the guesswork out of hiring a contractor – consumers can trust that we’ve already asked all of the important questions so they don’t have to,” says Stemmle. “With the right contractor you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.”

To start a free search for quality contractors in your area, visit www.ServiceLive.com.


Tags: contractorhirehomeimprovementplanningprojectquality
Previous Post

Dentist Dr. Debra Glassman on the Acid Truth

Next Post

Have a delicious baking recipe? Share it with the world

Next Post

Have a delicious baking recipe? Share it with the world

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Dining Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In