Your home is certain to be one of your most significant financial investments as well as your personal space to just “be”. When it’s time to remodel a kitchen, finish off that guest bathroom, or even add a walk-in closet, the excitement of choosing finishes, tiles, and paint can sometimes distract you from the important question of who will do the work.
When it comes to home improvement, there are 10 to a dozen “handymen” who appear to offer competitive pricing, but they are also often unverified workers. As a homeowner, if you hire an unverified contractor, you could end up with problems that are not only structural, but also financial and even legal! The most important decision you can make at the early stages of your project is to hire a licensed remodeling contractor for peace of mind. Let’s have a look at some of the key details involved.
What It Means to Be a “Licensed” Contractor
We will examine the benefits shortly, but first, let’s get to grips with what it means to be a licensed contractor. A licensed remodeling contractor has met specific requirements set by state or local boards. Their work is, in a sense, given the stamp of approval as being of a certain standard, one which the discerning homeowner would be pleased with.
Verified Experience
As certain boards will only allow contractors who have proven years of practical experience, this helps potential renovators feel at ease that the contractor they have contacted has more than a foundational level of experience.
Examination
Contractors must pass rigorous tests covering building codes, safety regulations, and business law. Contractors who are licensed need to pass rigorous tests that cover building codes, business law, and safety regulations.
Financial Stability
Far too many flash-in-the-pan contractors go bust within a few short years of starting operations. Licensing boards require proof of sound financial conduct and also insist that a bond be posted to protect customers.
Ongoing Education
Many states offer an accountability-based accreditation where the license is not merely a one-and-done affair, but is renewed annually or as local and state laws affecting construction change. In Florida, the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (FCILB) requires that contractors complete 14 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle.
Now that we have looked at what a licensed contractor is, let’s have a look at the benefits that you can expect as a homeowner when you embark on your next remodeling project.
Building Code Compliance and Safety
A licensed remodeling contractor can be a real advantage to you, as they will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of local building codes. The codes are not just unnecessary bureaucratic paperwork, but safety standards that are designed to protect both contractor and homeowner. These standards ensure that your home won’t burn down, collapse, or develop poisonous mold.
The Risk of Unlicensed Work
You may hire a great carpenter, but if they are unlicensed, then they will not be aware of the electrical load calculations for outlets or what the legal height is for plumbing vents. This could end up in faulty wiring that could put your family at risk. Further down the road, you could run into resale issues where non-code-compliant work is flagged, and you end up paying a hefty fee to have it remediated. Lastly, local councils have the right to halt projects and demand that certain work be torn down if it is not according to code.
Liability and Workers’ Compensation
Construction can be a very dangerous undertaking, and if an accident occurs on your property, you could run into a medical bill costing many thousands of dollars.
Protection for Homeowners
A licensed remodeling contractor usually is required to have general liability insurance. If a worker accidentally breaks something, such as a water main, and ends up flooding the neighbor’s yard, then the contractor’s insurance will cover the damage and not your homeowner’s policy.
Workers’ Compensation
There is a chance that you could be held liable in a scenario where an uninsured worker has a fall and injures themself. Because the contractor does not have any insurance, you, as the homeowner, would have to pay for the medical bills and lost wages. Licensed contractors are required by law to carry workers’ compensation for their employees, and this, in turn, ensures that the risk will not be yours to carry.
Efficient Project Management
There are so many moving parts in a remodeling project, and the number of subcontractors, materials, and lead times can sometimes become a complex maze of logistics and dependencies. A licensed remodeling contractor will be able to manage the project and orchestrate the various artisans as and when they are needed.
The Vetting of Subcontractors
The construction trade is full of strong business relationships with known entities working well with one another to mitigate the risks and bring the most value to the project as possible. As your main contractor, they will keep a “black book” of trusted subcontractors that they prefer to work with. All contractors on site must be able to work well together because if they don’t, there could be trouble for your project.
Keeping the Schedule On Track
Licensed remodelers know what the order of operations should be. For example, they will know that they should not schedule painting before the drywall has been sanded. Scheduling errors can often end up costing more time and money because of the work being redone.
Resource Management
Due to being in the trade for a lengthy period, licensed contractors build up relationships with suppliers and can arrange that the supplies get delivered on time and often at a trade discount that they can then pass on to you.
Warranty and Support Post Project Completion
Let’s say that you have just completed a bespoke kitchen renovation, but a few months down the line, the water supply bursts and floods the new kitchen cabinets. A reputable kitchen remodeling contractor will ensure that their work is covered by a professional warranty. As a licensed contractor, they will honor that warranty and fix the issue promptly. You can also be assured that the work done to remedy the problem will be done with attention to detail.
Looking For a Licensed Remodeling Contractor in Boca Raton?
For almost two decades, Mr. Kitchen has been attending to the remodeling needs of satisfied customers all over South Florida. Our bespoke designs and solutions cater to the discerning customer who is looking for a remodel that captures the essence of their dream and vision and agonizes over the details.
Upgrade your everyday! Call us at 561-672-7306 to start the conversation.