To restore your business after a natural disaster, you’ll need help from a qualified commercial contractor.
Dealing with consequences of a hurricane, tornado, or other disaster is stressful and time-consuming. If it’s your first time hiring a contractor for work on your enterprise, it can be even more difficult. Things become much easier when you follow some basic guidelines.
When hiring a commercial contractor, always remember to take these steps:
1. Check Out Reviews, Testimonials, and References
When a storm hits, lots of characters come out of the woodwork claiming to be “contractors.” How can you figure out which ones are most likely to be reliable? In today’s digital age, trustworthy businesses usually have online reviews, especially on websites like Yelp.
Companies that have been in business a while have the opportunity to amass plenty of reviews. You can use the earliest dates on these to get some sense of how long a company has been active.
Reviews should be generally positive, and you should see the company dealing with negative feedback constructively. This lets you know that they really take customer opinions seriously.
2. Get Quotes from Multiple Businesses in the Area
It’s hard to tell what the “going rate” is for a project unless you collect a few quotes.
While it’s always tempting to choose the lowest bid, be wary of this. Contractors with extremely low bids may not be legitimate. Remember, no licensed contractor will ever offer to take fees in cash in exchange for a lower price. This is a clear hallmark of a very common scam.
A price somewhere in the middle of the pack reflects experience. A team with true knowledge of what a project entails will charge a fair price aligned with the cost of labor and materials. Bear in mind that only a licensed contractor’s work can be covered by your insurance.
3. Get Everything From a Contractor in Writing
Getting everything from a commercial contractor in writing protects your investment. To get full reimbursement from your insurance, you’ll need a written estimate, a contract, and a final invoice issued after the work is complete.
If one of these items is missing, you may be unable to collect insurance policy funds you would otherwise be entitled to. Any commercial contractor who claims documentation isn’t necessary or refuses to provide it isn’t giving you the whole story.
To find out more, contact us today.