Helpful Tips

Tips for Selecting a Contractor:

1. Always get multiple bids and quotes. There may be multiple approaches to a project and different contractors may have varied ideas that can alter the project cost and success. 
2. Always obtain, check and verify a contractor’s professionally licensing, insurance coverage and good standing in their licensing jurisdiction.  Contractors should be licensed in the state and locality the projects is located.CLICK HERE for links to verify some types of professional licensing.  In Washington, D.C. and other jurisdictions all contractors are required to have workers’ compensation insurance.  If they are uninsured and become injured while working on your project, you may be held financially responsible.  Certificates of good standing can be supplied by the contractor from the local regulatory bodies and tax departments. 
3. Always sign a formal contract. Quote sheets and single-page documents are not very good contracts.  At a minimum a contract should include:
1. Name and contact information for both parties.  The service provider should use their full and formal company name, their trade name (if different from formal name), the type of company and the locality in which it is incorporated. 
2. Address and location where work is to be performed. 
3. A detailed and articulate scope of work.  Remember, be specific!  Include measurements, materials to be used, procedures to be used, colors, etc. 
4. Firm price.  Specify what parts and materials are included and what is extra.  Some projects may have an opened cost aspect depending on the type of repair, location of problem/project and the ability (or inability) to see all parts of the job.
5. Start date.  Working hours.  Competition Date. Some may wish to include a penalty for going past the completion date.
6. A contract should not require more than 50% of the estimated total to be paid as a deposit.  At least 25% of a contract cost should be paid after a final inspection of the work performed. 
7. Permits.  A contract should always specify who is responsible for obtaining permits, zoning variances and other approvals prior to and during a project. 
8. Governing jurisdiction.  A contract should be governed by the laws in your locality. 
9. Dispute resolution.  Contracts should include procedures for resolving disputes and specify responsibility for legal fees.  

For your convenience, we have provided a sample contract HERE (LINK COMING SOON) that all of our clients are welcome to use.  Please note that by using this sample contract, you are releasing Urbane Results LLC from any and all liability and for any loss suffered as a result of its use.  Urbane Results LLC cannot and does not make claims or representations as to the sample contract’s validity and you use this sample contract at your own risk.  This sample contract is the property or Urbane Results LLC.