Starting a home improvement project is an exciting time for many people. Whether you are getting the kitchen of your dreams or building an addition to get some more space, you’ll want to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment.
The contractor that you choose is an important consideration for your project. You want to go with someone that has the tools to get the job done right, as well as experience working on similar projects. However, one thing that many homeowners overlook while choosing a contractor is the contractor’s insurance. Even if you hire a skilled builder with a proven track record, if they aren’t insured they can expose you to serious liabilities and potentially cost you a lot of money. Lets look at some of the specific reasons why it is important to choose an insured contractor for your next project.
“Having the right contractor can make or break your home renovation project. You consider contractors who are on time, professional, and have done good work in the past. Making sure your contractor is insured is another important aspect to consider for the success of your project.”
You Could Be Responsible To Pay For Uninsured Contractors’ Damages
During construction and renovation, lots of different equipment and materials are being moved over the job site. All of this action in a tight space can lead to accidents, like accidentally creating a hole in your drywall, or dropping and breaking an expensive countertop. In more extreme circumstances, this could be a plumber making a mistake that causes your entire home to be flooded or an electrical mistake that creates a fire. Normally, an insured contractor would be able to take responsibility for the accident, and take care of the damages. But if your builder doesn’t have insurance, you could be stuck with the bill.
Uninsured Contractors Could Make You Responsible For Injuries
If one of the employees of your contractor gets hurt while working on your home, you can be left responsible if the contractor does not have the proper insurance. Whether for medical bills or lost wages, you could be responsible for paying for the employee if they are not covered by worker’s compensation insurance, even if the injury was not your fault.
Insured Contractors Typically Provide Better Quality Work
While the quality of your build greatly depends on the individuals working on your project, the best contractors are ones that have insurance. In most cases, contractors are required to have insurance if they want to be licensed to provide services. Having insurance also makes contractors want to complete work safely and efficiently to reduce their own liability. Contractors with insurance are more likely to be transparent and trustworthy, and overall do a better job than those without it.
Qualifications To Look For In A Contractor
In addition to being insured, you should look for contractors that have:
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A license to operate in your area
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Expectations and terms in clear writing
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Examples of work done in the past
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Good reviews from previous clients
Looking For Homeowner’s Coverage After Your Home Renovation? Choose Strickler Insurance
While Strickler can’t help you build a master bedroom suite or redo your home’s electrical work, we can provide a great home insurance policy for your new investment. Just like you want to choose a qualified contractor, you should choose an insurance provider with the experience and tools like Strickler to make sure that you are covered and can have peace of mind. Whether you need homeowner’s coverage or are interested in our other personal policies, don’t hesitate to reach out to us soon!
