Tips for hiring contractors. I am not very handy. OK, I admit it: I don't know how to do a damn thing around here. So I depend on plumbers, handymen, etc.
If you're like me, you might benefit from these tips, cribbed from Consumer Reports.
1. Find a repairman before you need one. You're bound to be upset when your car breaks down or you find yourself locked out of your house. You may not make your best decisions in such an emergency situation. Ask friends and neighbors who they turn to in a pinch and have those numbers on your phone.2. Do your research. In addition to references from friends, read the Yelp/Google reviews. Check the Better Business Bureau.
3. Contact the manufacturer first. Before you call the repairman for your refrigerator or washing machine, go to the manufacturer's website or call the 800#. Your problem might be a common one that's easy to trouble shoot.
4. Be prepared before you talk to prospective contractors. Provide as much detail as you can. Take photos you can share.
5. Get written estimates. That's for parts and labor, both. No surprises.
6. Remember, there are different types of replacement parts. If parts are going to involved, find out if they plan to use new, used, or genuine manufacturer replacement parts. Ask if this makes a difference in price.
7. Specify that you want to retain/dispose of the old parts. This one was new to me. It helps reduce fraud because unscrupulous repairmen have been known to replace parts unnecessarily and then resell the one they just removed from your appliance. (Gulp! Shit like this just makes me want to pull the sheets up over my head.)
8. Before you hire, verify the credentials of the repairman who is going to do the actual work. I don't know why, but conversations like this make me uncomfortable.
Hopefully the work goes well. But what if it doesn't?
9. Pay with your credit card, not your debit card. Financial institutions offer protections for credit card purchases that you just don't get with your debit card. If you don't want to pay with a credit card, write a check that you can stop payment on. Even that is safer than using your debit card.
10. If your appliance breaks down again shortly after the repair, give the contractor a chance to make things right. If they guarantee their work, they may come over and repair the repair at no charge.
11. If you can't reach an agreement with the contractor, call in another repairer. You still need your refrigerator or washing machine, right? There's no use going without while disputing things with the original repairman. Just be sure to document everything about the second repair – photos, receipts, etc. They will come in handy if you have to prove your damages in small claims court (more info on this ahead).
12. You have recourse against bad service. First, contact the credit card company (remember #9?) and work with them to have the charge reversed. Then take to social media and warn others on Yelp and Google.
13. Legal questions? Consumer Reports recommend you turn to NOLO.com for information about filing a small claims action in your state.
I've really been rather fortunate with my contractors. No horror stories. How about you?
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