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Tri-Cities: (509) 545-9848
Prosser: (509) 786-6848
Sunnyside: (509) 839-8828
Yakima: (509) 452-9848
Moses Lake: (509) 762-9884
Hermiston: (541) 564-9847
info@CallCampbell.com
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- Choosing a Comtractor |
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To find a reliable contractor,
start by asking friends for recommendations. Check
with local departments of consumer affairs. Keep in mind that
these watchdog organizations can give only the number of complaints
filed; they cannot tell you what percent of those claims were
valid. Remember too, that a large-volume operation is logically
going to have more registered complaints against it than will
an independent contractor. You can also check the status of
a contractor’s license in the State of Washington at the
following site: https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/bbip/
Interview each of the potential candidates and ask each
contractor for references. Even though no contractor
will give you the name of a dissatisfied customer. ask about
follow-through. Was the building site cleaned up or did the
owner have to dispose of refuse? Ask about the organization
of business. Did the paperwork go smoothly, or was there a delay
in hooking up the sewer because of a failure to apply for a
permit?
Also ask about warranties. Most will give you
a one year warranty on the parts and labor but some offer as
much as a ten-year warranty.
Give the top two or three candidates each copies of
the plans and your specifications for materials. If
they are not each working from the same guidelines, the competitive
bids will be of little value. Give each the same deadline for
turning in a bid. Make an appointment with each of them and
review the bid and your questions at that time.
If one bid is remarkably low, the contractor
may have made an honest error in the estimate. A low bid does
not necessarily mean that you will get the best quality with
economy.
If the bids are relatively close, the most
important consideration may not be money at all. A bid from
a contractor who is easy to talk to and inspires confidence
may be the best choice. Any sign of a personality conflict between
you and a contractor should be weighed when making a decision.
Protect yourself from disreputable companies.
The Department of Labor & Industries offers this checklist
for consumers: http://www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/625-084-000.pdf
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