Hiring A Contractor
Hiring Contractors in Maryland
We know how important hiring contractors in Maryland is to you. You want to be sure that you are hiring the right company for your project but more important that the company will provide you with the quality and services that you expect. We want to make sure that you have the knowledge that you need when hiring contractors in Maryland. We have put together information for you to use when searching for contractors in Maryland. Our guidelines will help to provide you with what you need to know when searching for contractors in Maryland. We believe that you should be prepared when meeting with a company.
Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask are one of the most important steps for you when planning your project and looking for contractors in Maryland. Our company is located in Maryland so we have put together the guidelines listed below to better help you find contractors in Maryland that will be a good fit for you and your home improvement project.
HOW TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR
This is a big decision; you want your job and project to be done professionally, and as quickly and efficiently as possible. Well, as "Murphy" has it...life happens and the best laid plans often don't go as expected, but following these few key steps will help in becoming a satisfied customer:
A. Make sure the contractor is properly licensed to do your specific job or project. If it is new construction, they need a State license to do business in that State. If it is a remodeling job, residential home or any occupied living area contractors in Maryland must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), in other states you will need to check with their State Home Improvement Commission or Department of Licensing and Regulation for local laws and regulations governing Home Improvement. For contractors in Maryland you go to http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/home_imprv/hicintro.htmland look them up to see if they are properly licensed.
B. Make sure they have both Business and Employee insurance coverage. This is very important. The insurance coverage must be able to cover the size of the contract, general aggregate, vehicles, products complete, personal injury, fire damages, medical and bodily injury. If the contractor does not have this coverage you may be leaving yourself open and responsible to any claims that arise as a result of the work performed on the project. Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability are the most important coverage. If an employee gets hurt on the job and the business is not covered....yes, that's right! YOU can be sued individually by that employee for any loss associated with the injury. The best way to protect yourself is to request a copy of an Insurance Certificate prior to signing the contract. In addition, you can call and check on proper licensing. You can request how long a company has been licensed, if there have ever been any complaints, what the problem was and was it taken care of responsibly? Ask questions and check references; a legitimate contractor will not hesitate to provide all the information you request.
READ YOUR CONTRACT
Nothing in life is free...If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!! There are many people in the "painting business" that operate unlicensed. These "contractors" often work alone, or with one or two other painters and will offer bare bones pricing. Everyone wants a good deal, but often it turns into a steal! Your money will be gone, the work will be sub-par, and you will be left unsatisfied and unprotected. There is standard information that must be included in every contract:
a. Steps to prepare area to be painted (sanding, caulking, patching, etc.)
b. Steps involved in applying products to be used (1 coat, 2 coat systems)
c. Specific products to be used (product name, type, color)
d. Specific areas to be worked on or painted
e. Specific time frame that project will be complete
Contractors in Maryland may not request more than 1/3 down towards the total cost of the project. The more complete and thorough a contract is, the less of a margin there is for misunderstanding. A good rule of thumb to remember is "If it's not written in the contract it probably won't be done". Beware of contractor's who leave things open to "extras". The contract starts low, but by the end could be double. Paint application that says "1 coat" often will not be satisfactory. One coat of anything rarely covers a surface to satisfaction. Two coat (primer/finish), or three coat (primer, 2 finish coats) systems will give you what you are looking for. Three coat systems are often necessary on custom work that uses dark or heavy pigmented paints. The cost up front for this type of work may be somewhat higher but the outcome will be a complete and lasting job that will bring you much pride and satisfaction. You know the old cliché - "You can't buy a Mercedes for the price of a Volkswagen".
WORKMANSHIP
The more professional a job is; the more steps will be taken to ensure satisfaction. As with any coating project, preparation is the key to a quality, long lasting finish. Here are a few main components to look for when hiring someone for a professional project.
a. All surfaces should be thoroughly scraped, sanded and cleaned as necessary before applying any coating.
b. A primer coat has many advantages and should be used in almost all cases. Primers make your finish coat beautiful, smooth and durable by:
Covering stains and discoloration's
Anchoring the finish coat so it "sticks" better
Hiding surface marks and darker colors
Filling and leveling out uneven surfaces
Making the finish coat smooth and uniform
Primers are a must in areas prone to moisture and humidity. Mildew thrives in such environments and loves to inhabit improperly coated surfaces. Mildew isn't picky; it will grow on anything porous, from wood to stucco. A good primer will augment the top coat's ability to resist surface moisture and the ensuing mildew.
Information provided courtesy of Premium Painting & Projects, Inc.