Unfortunately, we have come across numerous instances where we had to take over or re-do another Hawaii contractor’s work because of shoddy construction or they didn’t deliver what the home owner expected. HK Construction has 4 generations of experience under our belt and we have insight on what kind of relationship you should have with your contractor.
1. Make sure they are licensed
A licensed contractor has met several standards to demonstrate competence and knowledge, and must be approved by a governing body to gain a license. However, if a contractor with a license is producing inadequate work, they can have their license revoked. An unlicensed contractor has no such regulation and standards to maintain.
2. Find a bondable contractor
What does “bonded” mean? A bonded contractor generally means that they have secured money through a bond that is available to the customer in the event they file a claim against the company. The bond is controlled by the state and not by the contractor.
3. Hire an insured contractor
By having an insured contractor, you are generally protected from liability if something bad should happen. For example, if one of their workers gets hurt on the job, if they aren’t insured, the claim will go against your homeowner’s policy. However, with an insured contractor, the claim will go to their insurance.
4. Make sure they listen to you
When working with a contractor, find one that will work with you to fulfill your needs based on your budget. Don’t let them talk you into a project that is more than you need or want, simply to increase the cost of the project to increase their profit. A good and reputable contractor will be with you from planning through completion to make sure your questions and concerns are addressed.
5. Make sure they are reachable
There’s no worse feeling than being in the middle of a job and not being able to reach your contractor. Even if they aren’t able to pick up the phone at the moment, do they make an effort to return your calls? Communication is key to any relationship and you should have open lines of communication to your contractor.
