Seven tips before workers enter your home for renovations - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

Seven tips before workers enter your home

(FOX19) -

Having work done on your house soon?

A guest will be on Thursday's FOX19 Morning News to talk about seven tips you should know before workers enter your home. The tips are:

*Check references – Ask for at least three references before hiring. You should also visit a recent job or two to see the completed work. Ask previous customers if this is the kind of company that wants a lifetime relationship to develop references or a quick pay day.

*Check for proper state licenses and insurance – Make sure the company carries both liability and worker's compensation and that the policy is enough to cover any real damage. This protects you in case a worker gets hurt in your home and tries to sue you. It also protects you in case a worker steals something. So make sure you lock up and hide all valuables, like jewelry.

*Ask for a warranty – Check that the company backs up its work with a warranty, which is why a national company is often your best bet. 360° Painting warranties its work for two years and if you have a problem with a local owner, you can call the national office, offering extra assurance you'll get quality work. Check that you can reach the company with a phone number, email and 24-hour hotline.

* Know the deposit policy – Avoid doing business with companies that only take cash. Shady companies will take your deposit money and run. Make sure you write checks out to a company and not an individual person.

* Ask for a written timeline and itemized list of assignments – Make sure the contractor gives you a written estimate, listing all duties and miscellaneous charges that could surface. Agree on a firm timeline and make sure you get what you pay for. For example, with a painting project, if you paid for two coats, make sure you got two coats. Did you just pay for painted walls or are they prepping them to look great as well? Preparation takes time and can make a huge difference. Plus, make sure workers cover all surfaces with drop cloths or plastic sheeting.

* Make sure they work with high quality products – In the painting industry, better brand paints like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore cost more than other brands, so make sure you get what you pay for. Check that paint cans are labeled with the color and brand, and that the paint cans are new – scammers often switch out cheap paint and put it in different cans.

* Know who will do the work – Make sure you meet the project manager who you can reach at all times. You need to feel comfortable with the crew in your home and around your family and confident that you can communicate with everyone.

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