Tips for Effectively Screening Contractors
When your property needs some repair work done on it, or if you need a system maintained, you count on the contractors you contact to do their job correctly and with minimal supervision. It might surprise you to learn that this is not always the case though. In fact, to protect yourself, you should screen contractors as thoroughly as you do potential renters.
1. Pre-screen them
Always start the process by pre-screening contractors on the phone. Even if a contractor comes highly recommended, skipping this step could lead to a loss of time, if the contractor doesn’t work on your particular brand of appliance, for example. Ask questions that tell you how long they’ve been in business, the areas where they work and how many people they have working for them.
2. Make use of online sources
Plug the name of the contractor into your favorite online search engine and see what comes up. Include words such as “review” and “scam” in conjunction with the name to find out more about their reputation.
3. Get references
References are a crucial part of the screening process. You’ll want to have access to photos of projects — both before and after — as well as the names and contact information of past or current clients. Be sure to follow up with these references and contact the ones given. Ask questions such as what type of work was completed, how quickly they completed it and if there were any issues with the experience.
4. Verify Information
While it’s natural to assume that a contractor has the proper licensing to do business, it’s imperative that you verify this with the appropriate agency. You’ll also need to make sure that they have the right kind and sufficient amounts of insurance and bond to cover any potential issues.
Finding good, reliable and trustworthy contractors to take care of the repair and maintenance needs of your rental property can be time consuming. Real Property Management Las Vegas takes care of all the screening processes and maintains a list of trusted contractors. Contact them today to learn how you can turn over the day-to-day running of your rental property to the professionals.