Vendor Referral List

Do you need some home repair or home improvement to your home?
Do you know who to call? Call Karen for a vendor referral. (805) 469-8262

Karen's has referral list for Air and Heating, Cabinetry, Carpets, Fencing, Landscaping, Locksmith, Painting, Pest Control, Plumbing, Pools, Roofing, Tile and Windows. These are just a few categories that Karen Lindsey can help you with a referral.

Do you have a vendor you would like to recommend to Karen's list?
Call or email Karen.
 

Tips for hiring the right contractor

When hiring a contractor, homeowners are encouraged to check validity of insurance (Workman’s Compensation or other), bonding, licenses and other credentials. Check out references provided; ask about recently completed projects similar to your own. Get project owner names and contact information and then check those out, as well.

Questions to ask when contacting references include:

• Did the contractor maintain open communication throughout the project? Did they keep you informed as to the status of the project, problems encountered, or changes necessary before making them?
• Did he or she provide answers to questions to your satisfaction?
• Did they seem receptive to your input
• Did workers show up on time? Did they clean up the job site at the end of each day
• Were there any unexpected costs? If so, what?
• Was the project completed on time? Were there any unnecessary stalls or delays?
• Were you satisfied with the overall results of the completed project?
• Would you recommend the contractor? Would you hire the contractor again?

If appropriate, you might want to ask whether or not you could stop by the person’s home to see the completed job.

Other Resources

Other resources to use in determining whether or not to hire a contractor include:

• The Better Business Bureau – check to see whether any complaints against the contractor have been filed. If there are complaints, check to see whether or not they are valid. Was any action required; disciplinary or otherwise?
• Word-of-Mouth References – one of your best and most readily available resources. Get references from co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members; thoroughly check out references provided by the contractor.
• The Construction Industry Licensing Board; within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at a state or provincial level if the contractor is certified. Or the local growth management department if the contractor is registered. Check to see if any complaints have been lodged against the contractor in question.

By contacting either of these two agencies you can discover whether the contractor has been convicted or found guilty of any crime in any jurisdiction which relates to contracting, used false names or documentation for obtaining contractual work, ever abandoned a job, or been found negligent – resulting in danger to life or property.

You can also find out if the contractor has ever committed mismanagement or misconduct while working; causing financial harm to the homeowner. Or, failed to obtain necessary local building permits or inspections for a project, falsely indicated the work is bonded and that payment has been made for all subcontractor work and materials, etc., or committed fraud or deceit in the practice of contracting.

Red Flags that Scream “Do Not Hire”

As with any other type service provider – whether licensed or not – some contractors may not operate within the law.

The following should serve as red flags that the contractor might be less than reputable; certainly, less professional and reliable than what you might desire.

Avoid hiring a contractor who:

• Pressures you for a quick hiring decision
• Requests that YOU obtain the required building permits
• Accepts only cash payments
• Solicits door-to-door
• Quotes a final price without seeing the job
• Offers only lifetime warranties (which are only as good as the life of the company)
• Requires a large down payment to buy materials
• Offers a discount for an on-the-spot hiring decision
• Wants to use materials for your project, left over from another job
• Has no business number in the local telephone directory
• Provides only a PO Box address in lieu of a physical address
• Suggests you borrow money for your project from a lender the contractor knows
• Tells you your job will be a “demonstration”
• Offers discounts for finding other customers
• Requests complete payment upfront

Some states limit the amount of money contractors can request as down payment. Determine whether or not this is the case in your area by contacting the appropriate consumer agency.