Hiring your Masonry contractor is a critical decision and should not be taken lightly. High standards must be met, or your project could cost much more in the long run. Experience is extremely important, licensing and insurance is a must, reviews and reputation show transparency, Estimates and warranties protects the scope of work being done.
Experience:
When hiring your masonry contractor, you’ll defiantly want one with proven experience. You never want to hire someone who advertises being able to do every trade possible when you need your chimney rebuilt. Find a contractor who is niche or a master of that trade. Asking how long they have been in business for and what they specialise in are important questions. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. Answering your questions promptly and in detail will show true professional experience. Allow them to build you a picture with words.
Licensing and insurance:
Always make sure you hire a licensed and insured contractor, not only for the contractor themselves but also for their entire team and make sure proof is provided. Many times, people will just take their contractors word for granted and will not due their own due diligence and find themselves in a hard place. Being licensed and insured will eliminate the homeowner from potential legal risks and provide full financial coverage on their home if anything devastating were to occur during construction. Protect yourself, your home and your contractor.
Great Reviews, Reputation and Content:
Great reviews reputation and content are a must when hiring your masonry contractor. Check online reviews on google, the better business bureau (BBB), or even call a reputable masonry supply yard and ask about your contractor (Merkley Supply Ltd.) You want to look for consistent projects being uploaded and positive feedback from clients regarding quality, communication, professionalism and reliability. If a company says they have been in business for over 10+ years and only have a handful of projects under their gallery, this is a red flag. When hiring your masonry contractor, references will help answer a lot of questions you may have that does not come from the contractor themselves.
Estimates and warranties:
When hiring your masonry contractor, estimates and warranties can be a life saver. A written contract should always include the business, the scope of work, business #, Insurance #, WSIB #, CRA HST # and project warranties. This will ensure you a hiring a true professional. It ensures your project is fully covered if damage occurs, and most importantly, this ensures full transparency between the contractor and the client. If your contractor provides you the least amount of warranty compared to all quotes you were given, there is a reason behind that. If your contractors do not provide a detailed estimate or does not disclose all business and insurance information, there is a reason behind that too. If you are looking for value and quality, view all estimates obtained and compare the business Information, detail and warranty. I would rather cover myself from legal fees or bandage jobs then save a few hundred dollars.