7 Essential Questions to Ask When Selecting a Home Improvement Contractor 

For those new to selecting a home improvement contractor, it’s hard to know what to ask to be sure your project will be done right.  The Home Improvement Experts at Erie Construction have made it easy for you by compiling the following list of questions to ask anyone you are considering for your project: 

1. How long have you been in business?

Don’t fall victim to a fly-by-night operation that will be there to get paid but not to complete the work or help with any problems that may arise.

Erie Construction has been in business for over 30 years, and home improvement is all we do.  We will always be here to meet your needs, now and in the future. 

2. Are you fully licensed, bonded and insured?

Ask any prospective contractor to provide you with their license numbers and proof of their bonding and insurance coverage, and verify the information you receive online and by phone.  If your contractor isn’t licensed, bonded and insured, you are not protected if there is a problem with their work and have little recourse other than filing suit if they don’t complete your work to your satisfaction.  These contractors may be able to offer you lower pricing because they aren’t paying for licensing, bonding and insurance, but if something goes wrong, you will be left holding the tab.

Erie Construction is fully licensed, bonded and insured for your protection and ours, and will gladly provide you with the documentation to prove it if you ask. 

3. Where do you get the materials you use, where are they manufactured, and are they covered by a warranty?

Other contractors may be able to quote lower prices by using substandard materials that aren’t right for the job, but you will have no recourse in the future if there is a problem if the materials used aren’t covered by a warranty.

Erie Construction manufactures and assembles all of its materials in the U.S.A, they are covered by a lifetime warranty, and most warranties are transferable to subsequent owners if you ever sell your house.  You are protected in case there is ever a problem with our work or materials. 

4. How many times have you handled a project like this one?

Don’t let your project be the one an inexperienced contractor learns on.  It’s your home, not someone else’s “experiment,” and their mistakes can cost you dearly in the long run.

Erie Construction has 30 years of experience handling all types of projects.  We know what we’re doing, so we get it right the first time, every time. 

5. Do you provide financing for projects you handle?

Reputable contractors with successful businesses often provide financing for their customers.  The willingness and ability to provide financing is not just a customer convenience—it is an indication the business is successful and well-managed, quality work is done, and the company will be around for some time to come.

Erie Construction has its own financial services affiliate, Home Acceptance Corporation, to confidentially assist its customers in securing conventional financing, debt consolidation, land-contract purchase and mortgage financing if needed. 

6. May I speak with some of your past customers about your work?

Contractors who do good work will gladly provide you with verifiable references about the quality of their past work, even if the work was done years ago.  You should be able to view the work with your own eyes and speak in person with their references.  Anything less should raise concerns about their work quality.  So always request references, and CHECK THEM THOROUGHLY!

Erie Construction has served over 55,000 customers and over 10,800 of them came back to us for additional work within a year of when their initial project was completed.  We will gladly provide you with contact information for past customers who will speak with you if you wish – just ask! 

7. Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?

Contractors who don’t do quality work don’t want their customers’ complaints to be publicly viewable because it interferes with their ability to earn new business, so they don’t participate in consumer organizations like the Better Business Bureau.  You should ALWAYS check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any negative reports or disputes with a contractor you are considering using before you hire them, and if they do not participate, BEWARE!

Erie Construction is proud to be a member of the Better Business Bureau in good standing, because it gives our new customers added reassurance we will treat them right. 

If a home improvement contractor you are considering cannot provide a satisfactory answer to any of the above questions, you should think long and hard before hiring them.  Contractors who are committed to their customers and stand behind the quality of their work will take these steps to demonstrate their commitment up front and publicly. 

For more information on how Erie Construction can help you with your next home improvement project, please call 1-800-536-4200 or email info@erieconstruction.com. 

Erie Construction – Because Quality Speaks for Itself