1. Make sure your Contractor is licensed.
Effective July 1, 2008 Residential, Commercial and General Contractors are required to hold a Contractors License. It is the home owners responsibility to ensure that their Contractor is licensed by the State of Georgia and a permit has been issued for their project. Failure to comply will result in fines and stop work orders from the state against the Homeowner.
2. Seek Referrals
Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors and co workers who have had remodeling work done before. You can also gain advise from independent trade contractors, building material suppliers, architects, home inspectors as well as your local area associations such as NARI National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
3. Permitting
Home Owners can suffer serious consequences if the proper permits are not obtained by their Contractor. Once you have chosen your Contractor , have them pull a permit. Once done, your Contractor becomes responsible for compliance to the building code. In exchange for your permit fee, you obtain an inspection to verify the work was done properly.
4. Written Contract
Be sure your contact includes the following information; start and finish dates, written scope of work, a statement of how the contract can be canceled, dated copies of all draawings and diagrams, one year warranty, and a statement of what the contractor will provide.
5. Contractor Provides
Be sure your Contractor agrees to provide affidavits of final release, final payment or final lien waiver from all subcontractors and suppliers.
