Hiring a Reputable Builder or Remodeler in Pennsylvania

If you are ready to build a new home or remodel an existing one, you've come to the right place.  Doing your research upfront is the single most important step that you can take before entering into a contract to have work performed by a contractor.

Home building or remodeling companies are only as good as their reputation.  Most companies are in business to stay and they can only do so to the extent that they have satisfied customers.

Do your homework and use this checklist to help you select a builder or remodeler.

1 Do they belong to the Blair/Bedfor Builders Association?  BBBA members are respected professionals in their communities and have access to the latest industry information and training.  Click on our member directory to get a list of our members and their services.

2 How long have they been in business?  It takes three to five years to establish a financially sound business.  Our builder members have been in business for a minimum of three years to make application to our association.

3 Will the builder/remodeler provide you with names of previous customers?  Ask these references if they would hire the builder/remodeler again.

4 Have you seen their work - both completed and in progress?

5 Are they accessible?  Do they have a permanent business address and telephone number?  Remember, you will need to be in constant contact with him/her throughout the construction project.

6 Will they provide you with a clearly written contract?  (More about this a little later; please see Home Impovement Law below)

7 Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids.  Always get more than one bid.

8 Ask your contractor if he/she builds to the Pennsylvania state-wide building code.  Also, ask if his/her subcontractors also build to this code.  Remember, it's the law.

9 Ask your contractor to provide proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance.

 

Have you heard about the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act?

This law has been in effect since July 1, 2009.  It requires all home improvement contractors that work in Pennsylvania to be registered with the State Attorney General's Office.  New home construction is exempt from this law.

Anyone who owns or operates a home improvement business or who offers, performs, or agrees to perform home improvements in Pennsylvania must register with the Office of the Attorney General unless they are specifically exempt.  Exemptions include: A contractor that does less than $5,000 in home improvements in a calendar year and Home Improvement Retailers with a net worth of greater than $50 million dollars.  However, subcontractors and independent contractors that perform work for these retailers must be registered.

Some highlights of this law and what you, the consumer, should look for:

1 The contractor must include proof of registration, (PA # registration number) on all advertisements distributed within the Commonwealth, on all contracts, estimates, proposals, on business cards and vehicles if so lettered with his/her name.

2 Any home improvement work in excess of $500 must have a written contract with some minimal language to include: contractor registration number; signed by both parties; details the entire agreement between both parties; the date of the transaction; a physical address and telephone number of contractor (PO Boxes do not count); must contain an approximate starting date and completion date; includes a description of work to be performed specifying materials; includes the total sales price; includes the amount of the down payment; the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any subcontractors that will be used on the job; must maintain at least $50,000 liability insurance and the contract must include a right of rescission clause to permit cancellation of said contract within three business days.

3 This law also requires any alterations to the above stated contract to be executed only with a written change order.

While this law requires contractors to register with the State Attorney General's Office, it is not an endorsement of their honesty or integrity of work.  To see if your contractor is registered, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov and also check to see if any complaints have been registered against you contractor.

Any new home construction or home remodeling project is a complicated process.  Members of the Blair/Bedford Builders Association have invested countless hours to perform their work in the utmost of professionalism.  They can guide you through your project and are ready and willing to do so.  Once again, click on our members directory for a list of qualified builders, remodelers, realtors, banks and retail supply firms to help guide you through your next construction project.