When it comes to adding to your condo, the last thing you want to deal with is a contractor who does not align with your expectations. Singer Island is home to many great contractors who are reputable and provide great work but just be sure to use these tips when you’re looking to find the right fit:

Make Sure They Have the Necessary License and Permits
This may come as an obvious one, but if the contractors don’t have a license or a permit, don’t hire them.
Also, permits are highly regulated. It’s the contractor’s responsibility to make sure they have all the necessary permits to perform their work on your property. This may involve applying for and paying for multiple permits depending on the project. If they say a permit isn’t needed, but you feel it is, make sure to look it up or inquire with your local office.

Asking for Money Before Doing the Work
Do not pay contractors until you are satisfied with the work. This comes with the idea that you aren’t taking advantage of them, but you should feel happy about the work they are doing. Unsavory characters might try and make a series of excuses for why they need your money now: that it’s for their security, that they need the money to purchase the materials, or that it’s standard procedure. A genuine contractor will never ask for money at the start of the job. They’ll want you to be satisfied with their work and only afterward will payment be discussed. If a contractor requires a deposit, that’s another story, especially for a really big job. However, never pay more than $1,000 or 10% of the job upfront.

No Contract, No Hire
Small or large, legitimate contractors will have proper legal documents. This covers both sides from any wrongdoing. You need to have a legit legal document in order to cover yourself in the event of a problem. If they don’t complete the work, or refuse to complete work that was in the scope of your project, you’ll need to take them to court. If you need to go to court, a verbal contract is difficult to prove. Anything in writing, even the bare minimum of writing down the work being provided for a certain sum is legally binding. If they won’t draw up a contract, you can write your own. If they won’t sign it, that will tell you all you need to know about them. Shop elsewhere!

Be Safe With Your Personal Information
Identity theft can be a serious concern if your contractor is asking for personal information before completing the job. They need your info to complete billing, but they don’t need it to do the work. Make sure that throughout the renovation process you’re monitoring your credit with all three bureaus, or you hire a credit monitoring service to do it for you.

Check Customer References
Any proud business owner will have customer references for any concerned customer. This is common practice for growing your business. When a contractor can’t refer you to a satisfied customer, you know you have a problem. You can also read reviews online to get a clearer picture of who you are trying to hire. This is one of the best ways to ensure you find a quality contractor.

When it comes down to it, most contractors are here to help out. They want to do a great job and get paid fairly for the work they provide. With these tips, you’ll be able to find legit contractors in Singer Island, and find the right work for your needs.