One of the first things to look for when choosing a contractor to work on your home or business is their license number and whether or not they’re insured. For most, this is an obvious first step, but why? Do you know the repercussions of hiring an unlicensed contractor versus a company that is licensed, bonded and insured? Read ahead to learn more about what a quality general contractor in Saltillo, MS has to offer you.
Costs and fees
Picture this: you collect a few estimates about a bathroom remodeling project that you’re looking to take on, each coming in right around the same cost, except for one that’s hundreds or thousands of dollars cheaper. It’s an enticing prospect and you may have think you’ve struck gold, finding a general contractor in Saltillo, MS that’ll do the work for a bargain! But, what you’ve more likely found, is an unlicensed contractor seeking to undercut the competition.
The reason unlicensed contractors are able to drop their costs so low is because they’re avoiding paying necessary insurance and licensing fees—fees that accredit and protect contractors who are on the level. Basically, when you consider the cost of materials, labor and other working variables, the baseline cost for most contractors should be the same—if there’s someone significantly lower, you can assume they’re cutting corners somewhere and it’s generally where it matters most: liability insurance.
Protecting their work and their workers
Any good general contractor in Saltillo, MS wants to provide their customers with not only quality workmanship, but also protection against any unforeseeable accidents. Generally, to ensure that materials and products are protected against these unfortunate events, a bond is secured, which takes care of any costs that come from a job that suffers from missteps. Having a bond ensures that the costs associated with a botched job don’t ultimately fall back on you, the homeowner.
Workers compensation insurance is also a cost that contractors on the up and up have to pay, simply to ensure that their workers are taken care of if they are injured on the job. If a worker is helping to put a new roof on your home and takes a fall that puts them in the hospital, you don’t want to be on the hook if that person takes their damages to court!
A lasting job well done
If you’re a part of a homeowners association, hiring a licensed contractor is paramount to ensuring that you remain within the realm of your ownership duties. Many times, homeowners associations place very heavy emphasis on choosing a licensed contractor over an unlicensed one, simply because any fallback from the latter could end up costing the association and its members a great deal.
If you’re looking to have home renovations performed, make sure that you’re not selling your services to the lowest bidder—chances are, the quick buck they’ll make is going to cost you a whole lot more in the long run. Make sure that you’re putting your trust in a company that’s licensed, bonded and insured, for your safety.