Selecting a Contractor for Home Modifications

LANCASTER, PA, June 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) Looking for a professional to perform your accessibility modification? If you're like many people, your home is your greatest asset and it's important to have confidence in who you hire to perform work in it. Consider these points when selecting a contractor.

Ask around. Instead of going straight to the Yellow Pages, learn who your friends, neighbors and family members recommend. Or, head online to read reviews of licensed contractors and find out who has a positive reputation in your community. Use these contractors as a starting point and ask them to provide several references for you to contact. Ideally, these references should be individuals who have had work done by the contractor that is similar in scope to your future project.

Are they licensed, bonded and insured? Licensing regulations and requirements for contractors vary by state or locale, so research the laws in your area. Ask prospective contractors for their license numbers, then contact the agency overseeing licensing in your locale to verify their licenses are current and learn if complaints have been filed against them or they are facing any disciplinary action. Depending upon where you live, there may be a toll-free number or online database available to assist with this step.

Some states also require contractors to be "bonded," meaning the contractor must purchase a surety bond to protect customers in the event the contractor does not meet financial obligations associated with a project, like paying subcontractors the amount they are due for their work or securing permits, or if they simply fail to complete the project properly. To protect yourself, learn the requirements where you live and make sure your contractor meets them. Additionally, request documentation on your contractor's Workman's Compensation and General Liability insurance and verify the policies are current.

Just because someone can remodel a home doesn't mean they can run a business. Attractive pictures of previously completed projects are great, but it's also important to look into the stability and longevity of a contractor's business. Find out how long the contractor has been in business and make sure they offer a physical business address. For smaller contractors, it is not unusual for this to be their home address, but steer clear of contractors only willing to offer a phone number or PO Box mailing address.

Also, be wary of working with contractors who show early signs of being unprofessional, such as being late for appointments or pressuring you to sign a contract immediately or pay more than a 33% deposit upfront. (If a contractor doesn't treat his prospective customers well while competing for their business, it is unlikely he will treat them better once he has been paid!) It can also be helpful to ask how many projects the contractor typically has in active construction at once. A contractor who is stretched too thin may have difficulty adhering to agreed upon timelines for completion or making sure your project gets the attention it deserves.

Cast a wide net. Seek a minimum of three competing bids and compare them, line by line. Notice that one includes a charge for a particular material or service, but another does not? Ask for clarification on why. It's important to make sure that at the end of your bidding process, you feel confident in the investment you are making in your home and go with the best value, not just the lowest price.

Know what you're getting and make sure it's in writing. Get a detailed scope of work and, if it contains anything that seems unclear to you, get clarification. Once you are comfortable with the scope of work, make sure you also thoroughly read the construction contract before signing. A standard construction contract should clearly spell out:

- Responsibilities of both the contractor and the homeowner. (Typically, the contractor will be required to provide materials, tools, labor and expertise, while the homeowner must provide payment and access to the home and its utilities, like electricity or water).
- Payment terms.
- A timeline for completion.
- Local authorization. (In other words, it should specify that your contractor is responsible for securing the necessary building permits from local authorities and that this is included in the price of the project).
- Detail on costs of labor and materials, as well as subcontractors to be used, if applicable.
- Insurance and licensure requirements of the contractor.
- A termination clause that states the circumstances under which either the homeowner or contractor can terminate the contract without financial penalty.

Additionally, it is in the best interest of the homeowner to discuss adding additional protections to the contract, like penalties if the contractor does not adhere to the timeline for completion or a lien release, so the homeowner will not be liable in the event the contractor fails to pay any subcontractors involved with the project. Make sure not to agree to payment terms that ask for more than a 33% deposit or do not allow the homeowner to withhold some of the payment until completion. And, when in doubt, have your legal representation review any contract before signing.

Find a contractor who's willing to listen and provide a home modification tailored to your specific needs. Home accessibility is a specialized niche within the design and construction fields and while many reputable and skilled contractors are now entering the growing 'aging in place' market, they may not understand your physical and functional needs as well as they understand construction. It is vital that you educate them on your needs and play an active role in the design process.

Consider visiting the National Association of Home Builders at nahb.org and searching their CAPS Directory to find a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist in your area who is familiar with performing accessibility design or construction work, as well as being evaluated by an Occupational or Physical Therapist who can provide a report on functional considerations that must be taken into account when creating design solutions, like an individual's safest method of transfer. Oftentimes, combining the design and construction expertise of an experienced contractor with the disability-specific knowledge of a trusted medical professional can yield better individualized solutions.

United Disabilities Services has been working with home modifications for the disabled, veterans and those aging in place since 1965. With deep expertise and experience in the home modifications field, UDS now offers an eStore with products that have been evaluated by the UDS team for use in home modifications. The UDS eStore can be found at https://estore.uds.org and the showroom can be reached at 888-428-0240.