Whether or not you have hired a contractor in the past, you might be wondering, “Should I expect to get a ton of paperwork from my gutter and siding contractor?” Gutter and siding projects aren’t as intensive as a kitchen renovation or pool addition, so maybe the paperwork isn’t as big of a deal, right? Wrong! Think about this: no matter how small the project, hiring someone to work on your home carries a level of risk. Mitigate your risk by making sure you get these documents from the start.
Should I Expect a Contract?
The following are different parts of a typical home improvement contract.
1. Scope of Work
This is a detailed list of exactly what the contractor is going to be responsible for.
2. Cost Estimate
A cost estimate isn’t going to mean anything if you don’t get it in writing. The contractor should come to your house before you agree to any cost. Take any estimate with a grain of salt until they actually lay eyes on your home. A reputable gutter or siding company will provide an itemized cost estimate as part of your contract.
3. Schedule
A legitimate contractor should be able to give you a schedule and completion date. Weather delays and possible material shortages could be a few things that delay the schedule, but overall, your completion date should be close to the original projection.
Should I Expect Warranties?
Your gutter and siding contractor should guarantee their workmanship, and the gutter or siding manufacturer should guarantee their product. Asking about warranty options should be part of your process when shopping around for contractors. Because a contractor with a higher price tag might have better warranty coverage, they may be the better choice.
Should I Expect Proof of License, Insurance, and Bonding?
When it comes to mitigating risk, hiring a licensed, insured, and bonded gutter and siding contractor is definitely the way to go.
Why Should I Expect a License?
Being licensed means that the contractor strives to run a legitimate business. They are obligated to produce quality work, follow building codes, and pull permits. If they don’t do those things, they are at risk of losing their license.
Why Should I Expect Insurance?
Every licensed gutter or siding contractor should carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Liability insurance covers damage to your home or property caused by the contractor. Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and lost wages of a worker injured on your property. If they are lacking these insurances, you could be responsible for large sums of money in the event of an accident.
Why Should I Expect Bonding?
To be bonded means the contractor pays for a surety bond. A surety bond would step in and pay for another contractor to finish the job if your contractor cannot for some reason.
Should I Expect Contractor Financing?
If your gutter or siding contractor has already partnered with HFS Financial to provide contractor financing, great! Your project can be financed quickly, easily, and upfront. If your contractor doesn’t use HFS Financial, that’s okay, too. You can go through HFS Financial on your own. All you need to do is fill out our 60-second application to see your gutter and siding loan options. Visit this blog to learn more about personal loans for home improvement projects. At HFS Financial, “You Dream It, We Finance It!”