We know that looking for the right contractor is a little stressful.  It is very important to find the right contractor to make sure the job is done correctly and to prevent any mishap that might cost you in the future. See a few tips that will guide you in the right direction when choosing a contractor.

Do Your Research

Check with friends, neighbors, or co-workers who’ve used a contractor.

If you can, take a look at the work done and ask about their experience.

Look at sites you trust that post ratings and reviews.

Do people seem to have similar experiences, good or bad? You also can check out a contractor’s online reputation by searching for the company’s name with words like “scam,” “rip-off,” or “complaint.” Furthermore, check google reviews and read the comments.

Find Out How Long They’ve Been In Business

Look for an established company whose record and reputation you can check out.

Be sure to ask: are they experienced with what you want done?

Importantly, check for qualifications, like licensing.

Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed. Check with your local building department or the consumer protection agency to find out about licensing requirements in your area. Licensing can range from simple registration to a detailed qualification process. If your state or locality has licensing laws, make sure the contractor’s license is current.

Ask Questions, will my project require a permit? Most states and localities require permits for building projects, even for simple jobs like decks. Correspondingly, a competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on

your project. You may want to choose a contractor familiar with the permitting process in your county, city, or town.

Do They Carry Insurance That Protects You

Contractors should have personal liability, worker’s compensation and property damage coverage.

Additionally, ask for copies of insurance certificates, and make sure they’re current, or you could be held liable for any injuries and damages that occur during the project.

Do They Have A Good Warranty

If you encounter an issue after your project is completed, the manufacturer of the product will try and prove that the material was not installed correctly, and the contractor will try to prove that the material was faulty. Luckily there is a process to handle this, but it assumes that certain things are in place…otherwise there is simply no warranty and you will be left with the bill of repairing or replacing.

When choosing a contractor, ask about his warranty on the work that he will do. Ask if you could get a copy of the warranty to look over for yourself. Make sure what is listed in the warranty covers the scope of the work.

Get A Good Estimate

As with any project, it’s wise to get multiple bids.

Furthermore, when comparing bids, make sure each one includes the same materials and the same tasks, so you’re comparing apples and apples.

Make sure all the details of your project are documented on each estimate.

Trust Your Gut

Besides these tips, the biggest piece of advice we can give you is to trust your gut when choosing a contractor. If anything makes you uncomfortable or if you feel that you can’t trust a contractor, RUN away as fast as you can. For every good contractor out there, there’s at least one bad one who will either do a crappy job or leave you with heartache (and a depleted bank account). Make sure you have every reason to trust your contractor, and you will able to love the work they create for you.

Please take some time and research Southwest Irrigation Systems and if you would like to have our expertise come to service you please call 281-494-3700 or click here for an appointment.

Southwest Irrigation Systems has been serving the Houston area since 1985.  We are locally owned and operated with two locations in Houston. SWIS cares for you our customers with our winning culture.  We train our team and use the best equipment to help with water  conservation. Our team specializes is sprinklers, drainage and lighting.