Are you considering having some improvements done to your home? There are many factors that you should consider before signing a contract with any home improvement company. Here are some tips that will help you choose the right contractor for your home improvement needs.

1. Is the company licensed through the state of Michigan? You have a right to see their builders license. Note the company name and license number. Then, don’t just take their work for it – verify it. Check them out yourself at cis.state.mi.us/bcs_free/default.asp or call the Licensing Division of the Bureau of Consumer Services at 517-241-9288, then press 1, 2, 3, 0 to get to assistance. Make sure you spell their name exactly as their business lists it. For example, when checking us out, it is Father & Son Construction, not Father and Son Construction. The easiest way to do this is to provide the license number. If the company is not listed or not current with the licensing bureau, you’d be wise to stay away from them because the state licensing bureau has no recourse against an unlicensed contractor.
2. Is the company you are considering insured? Again, you have the right to demand a copy of both their Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Insurance. Consider what would happen if they was an injury on your job – who would they go after for compensation?
3. How long has the company been in business? If and when something goes wrong with your project will they be around to service it? Companies that have been in business for a good amount of time are still in business for a reason. Ask about how long their warranty period is.
4. Check with family members, co-workers and friends. See if they had any experiences with home improvement. Who would they recommend or not recommend and why? First hand experience is always a great way to check into a company.
5. Check with at least 3 or 4 building inspectors in different municipalities. Some jobs require a building permit that is issued from and inspected by the individual municipalities. City inspectors are government employees so many of them cannot recommend a company. More likely they will respond to your questions about a particular company or contractor you are checking into and whether or not they have had issues with them.
6. The biggest mistake made in selecting a company is basing your decision strictly on price. Just because they have the best price does not mean they are qualified or will do the best job for you. Ask yourself, is this a fair price comparison to other estimates that I have received. Why is the price so different?
7. Lastly, double check with the Better Business Bureau in your area. The listing for the Michigan website is www.easternmichiganbbb.org. Click on “Checkout a Company” on the left side of your screen. Again, make sure you type in the name of the business correctly. Or contact them by phone at 248-223-9400. My advice to you is to stay away from companies that may have motives that are not in the best interest of the consumer, like Angie’s List. Click here for a comparison between The Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List.

If you go through all of these steps, you will have a much better chance of having a successful remodeling project.