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Over the past several weeks I have contacted, and attempted to contact, several contractors to provide me with estimates for some remodeling work I need done.  Most either never check their voicemails, promise to show up.....and never do, or are not 'hungry' enough to respond to my inquiries.  To date, exactly ONE has actually managed to come out, look at what I want done, and provide me with an estimate.   I could build a complete, albeit small, house with that estimate, so it's a 'no go'.

 

So I'll ask again: Can ANYone recommend a RELIABLE and WILLING contractor for a bathroom/basement remodeling job?

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I would get a list of remodeling contractors from the Home Builders Association and call the ones who have been in business a long time. It can be hard to get someone out to give a quick quote this time of year but it does help when a contractor at least lets you know that it might be a couple weeks before they can look at the job. 

Most homeowners do not realize that if a contractor with a license shows up on your job and the contractor does not carry workers comp on two or three employees and one of these employees of the contractor has a work related accident on your job; you the homeowner is responsible and liable for that injury. NO HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WILL COVER THAT EMPLOYEE. Only workers comp will pay for a work related accident. YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL who you hire without insurance. There is the option to consider yourself the home owner as the 'contractor' and buy your own workers comp on the contractors employees but it is expensive since most contractors have W/C through a group of statewide contractors. The contractor should also have liability insurance to protect your property naming you additionally insured.

 

I've seen several cases where the homeowner had to pay out the kazoo for accidents injuring employees of a 'tailgate' contractor.

 
Originally Posted by Quaildog:

Most homeowners do not realize that if a contractor with a license shows up on your job and the contractor does not carry workers comp on two or three employees and one of these employees of the contractor has a work related accident on your job; you the homeowner is responsible and liable for that injury. NO HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WILL COVER THAT EMPLOYEE. Only workers comp will pay for a work related accident. YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL who you hire without insurance. There is the option to consider yourself the home owner as the 'contractor' and buy your own workers comp on the contractors employees but it is expensive since most contractors have W/C through a group of statewide contractors. The contractor should also have liability insurance to protect your property naming you additionally insured.

 

I've seen several cases where the homeowner had to pay out the kazoo for accidents injuring employees of a 'tailgate' contractor.

 

Not only that, but when you hire an unlicensed, uninsured contractor and there is any type of problem then you have absolutely no recourse to cover it. So, lets say you house burned down because of shoddy work from unscrupulous contractor, your insurance is not going to pay for that!

Quail is exactly right and IMHO, making sure that your contractor is carrying workers comp and general liability is actually more important than checking licensing (but making sure that your contractor is licensed is important too!). There are a lot of smaller contractors in Alabama who are exempt from  having to carry workers comp but that does not let a homeowner off the hook if someone were to get hurt on the job.
Originally Posted by dogsoldier0513:

I'm just about ready to post a listing of the contractors that I've called that either failed to return my calls (after I left a detailed msg and a PX number), or failed to show up after booking an appointment time (and failed to notify me that they weren't coming)......

Do it !! , may not make a difference in you getting a good contractor, but it may save some of the rest of us when we go looking, as to who NOT to call .

Originally Posted by seeweed:
Originally Posted by dogsoldier0513:

I'm just about ready to post a listing of the contractors that I've called that either failed to return my calls (after I left a detailed msg and a PX number), or failed to show up after booking an appointment time (and failed to notify me that they weren't coming)......

Do it !! , may not make a difference in you getting a good contractor, but it may save some of the rest of us when we go looking, as to who NOT to call .

__________

Agreed

Originally Posted by JDawg:
Originally Posted by seeweed:
Originally Posted by dogsoldier0513:

I'm just about ready to post a listing of the contractors that I've called that either failed to return my calls (after I left a detailed msg and a PX number), or failed to show up after booking an appointment time (and failed to notify me that they weren't coming)......

Do it !! , may not make a difference in you getting a good contractor, but it may save some of the rest of us when we go looking, as to who NOT to call .

__________

Agreed

I wouldn't list business names on hearsay on a public forum.

The TD might frown.

 

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