Hiring a Contractor

Who do you contact? What do you look for? How do you find the right one? All this and more is found below.

The following information includes tips you can use when choosing and hiring your contractor.

Get at least Three Bids

Before hiring any contractor, get at least three written bids, or estimates for your project. Provide the contractors with accurate plans or drawings to enable them to determine the scope of work and costs involved. If prices differ by a wide margin, you may consider obtaining additional bids.

Ask for References

Ask potential contractors for references in writing. Call the contractor’s previous customers and ask if they were satisfied with the work. Try to go out and look at the work for yourself.

Hire a Licensed Contractor

Even licensure cannot guarantee satisfaction. However, a licensed contractor has met experience and examination requirements and must fulfill certain conditions in order to maintain the license. Licensed contractors have all the necessary legalities to protect you, the consumer.

Upon licensure, a monetary limit is established for each contractor based on his or her financial ability to maintain and complete contracts up to a certain amount. Contracts written in excess of the established limit are invalid.

Before signing a contract, make sure the contractor is licensed in the correct classification and within the appropriate monetary limit. If you have questions as to the validity or status of a license, call the Nevada State Contractors Board.

You may also wish to check with the Better Business Bureau in your area and the State of Nevada’s Department of Consumer Affairs to see if any complaints have been filed against the contractor.

Always Insist on a Written Contract

A written contract protects everyone concerned and prevents confusion if anything should go wrong. Be sure that the contract is dated, signed and specifies exactly what is being provided for your money.

These are things that you should look for on your contract: 1) the contractor’s license number and classification; 2)the contractor’s monetary limit (the highest amount for which he can contract); 3) the exact amount of money due from you; 4) the date the work will begin and the number of days for completion; 5) the work to be performed and the materials to be used; 6) any percentage of the work to be subcontracted and a list of subcontractors; 7) the contract is signed and dated by both parties.

Take the time to review the contract and make sure that you completely understand the contents of the contract before you sign it. Don’t let a contractor or salesperson rush you into anything. If you are confused about the provisions of the contract or have questions about lien rights or other matters, consider hiring an attorney to explain them to you.