Tips for Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor

1. Determine exactly the type of improvement you want to make to your home and the amount of money you can comfortably spend. Take the time to write down the details of the work you want done before you contact home improvement contractors.
   


2. When you request an estimate from a contractor, find out whether there is a charge for the estimate if you decide not to use the contractor. Caution…The lowest estimate may not reflect the quality of materials to be used.
   


3. Ask prospective contractors to show you their pocket home improvement license card. Examine the card carefully. Check the license number. Check the license expiration date. Sales representatives for the companies are also required to be individually licensed to sell as well as all canvassers.
   


4. Call the Marland Home Improvement Commission, 410-230-6309, or for Pennsylvania residents go to http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hiccon.aspx to check the records of home improvement contractors. The Home Improvement Commission’s staff can tell you if the license is good, whether complaints have been filed against the contractor and whether the complaints have been resolved.
   


5. Ask the contractor for the names and telephone numbers of people for whom he has recently completed improvements. Check with the references about the quality of the work and whether the work was completed on time. (Keep in mind that circumstances beyond the contractor’s control may delay completion, i.e. weather conditions, material shortages, et al.) You may be able to protect yourself against poor workmanship by visually checking the contractor’s previous work. It is highly recommended that you physically visit the referenced jobs and not rely solely on photos.
   


6. Carefully review the contractor’s estimates, home improvement record, and references. Choose the contractor who best fits your needs and who can provide the best work at the price you can afford.
   


7. Always get a written contract before you permit work on your home to proceed. Make sure the contract specifies the date the work will begin, details exactly the type of improvements that are to be made, the quality of materials to be used, the estimated completion date, and payment schedule. Carefully read the contract before signing it. Examine the entire document, including the fine print, before signing.
   


8. Certain types of home improvements require building permits from your local government. Check with your local licensing and permit department to see if a permit is needed. If it is, make sure the contractor shows you the building permit before you allow work to begin.

The Maryland Home Improvement Commission is an agency of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The purpose of the Commission is to foster a high quality of professionalism and workmanship in Maryland’s home improvement industry and to safeguard the consumer rights of homeowners. The Commission investigates complaints by homeowners, awards monetary damages against licensed contractors, and prosecutes violators of the law. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office does the same for the residents of Pennsylvania.

More Helpful Reminders

Avoid unlicensed home improvement contractors.

Don’t use a contractor to do work if you believe he lacks the proper skills to do the job. His bargain price may be more attractive than his finished product.

Don’t use a contractor who you believe violates local building laws.

Don’t pay a contractor in advance prior to reading and signing a contract. Maryland law prohibits a contractor from demanding and receiving payment before a contract is signed.

Don’t pay the entire cost of the home improvement job in advance. Maryland law prohibits the contractor from receiving more than one-third of the contract price at the time the contract is signed.

Maryland's and Pennsylvania’s laws cannot protect you if you deal with unlicensed contractors.

One way to help you weed through potential contractors for your project is to only call those that have displayed their HIC# ( Home Improvement Commission license number) in the ad or business card you are referring to. Maryland law requires that all contractors display their license number in all ads i.e. flyers, brochures, newspapers, billboards, vehicle signs, business cards, websites, telephone book ads, etc.

Russett Deck Professionals, Inc. Thomas Barna MHIC# 43872 and PA 061114

Our thanks to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for allowing us to use the information in their brochure “Tips for Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor” in order to further your knowledge and hopefully increase your comfort level in choosing the right contractor for you.