View Full Version : How can I find out about a contractor?
Village Idiot
09-03-06, 06:46 PM
The wife and I sold our home and are buying an older, family property that will need renovation/addition. we have been talking to a guy from Charlotte but i would like to do some investigating of my own, if thats possible. i tried the BBB online and they either have no complaints or no record. is that a good thing? any suggestions?
The wife and I sold our home and are buying an older, family property that will need renovation/addition. we have been talking to a guy from Charlotte but i would like to do some investigating of my own, if thats possible. i tried the BBB online and they either have no complaints or no record. is that a good thing? any suggestions?
No complaints should be a good sign but the not having a record means either the contractor isn't a member or just isn't on the website. I had a window contractor that got pissed when I told him he wasn't on the site (he was supposed to be). I would go with someone that is at least a member.
Village Idiot
09-03-06, 09:43 PM
No complaints should be a good sign but the not having a record means either the contractor isn't a member or just isn't on the website. I had a window contractor that got pissed when I told him he wasn't on the site (he was supposed to be). I would go with someone that is at least a member.i do see a red flag. would asking for a contractors license number be out of line? he has a Charlotte address on the preliminary contract but is not in the phone book. i would really like to know about this guy for sure.
edit.....i emailed the local chapter of NARI with all the info i have on the guy. i hope they can tell me something.
crazydave
09-05-06, 10:55 AM
i do see a red flag. would asking for a contractors license number be out of line? he has a Charlotte address on the preliminary contract but is not in the phone book. i would really like to know about this guy for sure.
edit.....i emailed the local chapter of NARI with all the info i have on the guy. i hope they can tell me something.NARI and BBB are good places to start. My sister and brother in law do remodeling/additions and they are members of both. They have won several awards for service and all that crap. They are pricey though.
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/market_assign.asp?url=%2FAngiesList%2Fabout%2Easp
Angie's List of contractors.
Village Idiot
09-05-06, 11:58 AM
THANKS GUYS!
Village Idiot
09-05-06, 12:06 PM
just checked my email. i sent one off to NARI yesterday and they have no record of the guy. i checked the state site and they have no record of a contractors license under his given name or company.
hmmm
when do you need to start renovation? My parents have two guys redoing their 100 year old house since january. They do great work. I think they are getting close done and might be available.
I joined angie's list the other day and have heard good things about it except from one friend who thinks that the contractors on angies list charge the most.
I'd rather pay a little more and have piece of mind.
Congrats on selling your house VI!
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/market_assign.asp?url=%2FAngiesList%2Fabout%2Easp
Angie's List of contractors.
I had forgot about that site. Last time I checked they weren't local. Looks like they are now. I need a good tree company to take down about 10 60 ft trees that are pretty close to my house. Me thinks it's gonna be expensive.
Village Idiot
09-05-06, 04:53 PM
when do you need to start renovation? My parents have two guys redoing their 100 year old house since january. They do great work. I think they are getting close done and might be available.if everything goes as planned, we'll be out of our house, signed the mortgage on the next house and in the rental within a month (we cant live in the house while its under going the work, it needs alot). i'd like to get started asap after that. we got the equity lined up to do the renovation/addition so thats no problem. october, november maybe? you can pm me their info if you want to.
Village Idiot
09-05-06, 04:55 PM
Congrats on selling your house VI!thanks holly, its kinda bitter sweet. i am content here but my wife likes to drag me around by the nose.
i didnt say that :twocents:
I had forgot about that site. Last time I checked they weren't local. Looks like they are now. I need a good tree company to take down about 10 60 ft trees that are pretty close to my house. Me thinks it's gonna be expensive.
But if you find a good guy to do it, it will be well worth it.
But if you find a good guy to do it, it will be well worth it.
Yea, I've got about 5 people/companies looking at it this week. I'm expecting it to be in the $5-$7,000 range. My wife is gonna flip.
Yea, I've got about 5 people/companies looking at it this week. I'm expecting it to be in the $5-$7,000 range. My wife is gonna flip.
$$$$$$$$:22_yikes: :22_yikes: :22_yikes: $$$$$$$$$$
Freakshow
09-07-06, 03:35 PM
$$$$$$$$:22_yikes: :22_yikes: :22_yikes: $$$$$$$$$$
OK...so how much?
OK...so how much?
Let's just say my estimate was right on target at around $5K. I've got two estimates in so far, with about 3 left to go. The first two came in about the same.
Let's just say my estimate was right on target at around $5K. I've got two estimates in so far, with about 3 left to go. The first two came in about the same.
We'll, it's up to 15 trees and another grand. Hopefully get 'em down in the next two weeks.
Supposed to be getting the trees down today. That contractor better show up.
well you could run a background check on him to check his previous jobs, and other reference about him.:rolleyes:
well you could run a background check on him to check his previous jobs, and other reference about him.
Yep, I got three references from people before I hired the tree guy. If you check with the BBB and get some references one should be ok.
Village Idiot
10-13-06, 08:41 AM
well you could run a background check on him to check his previous jobs, and other reference about him.:rolleyes:we did and it wasnt good. we ask him for his contractors license number, he said he'd get it for us, we never heard from him again. we hired a local guy who used to coach ball with me. solid, dependable, no worries over anything.........outside of the normal building/remodling issues and headaches.
we are underway!
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.