Finding a reputable and reliable masonry contractor can be a daunting task. However, by following some simple tips, you can minimize the chances of ending up with a bad contractor.
Ask Friends and Family
First and foremost, when it comes to hiring the best masonry contractors, there is no better way than to find an excellent contractor through recommendations from friends, family and others. It may seem tedious but this is how most people do their research. Ask your friends and family what they are comfortable with or suggest that you find a few friends who have been working with a particular masonry contractor for a while and see if they have any complaints or issues with them. This is also a great way to find out what kind of work a contractor has been doing in the past.
Check previous work
Check out the contractor’s past work by viewing some of the masonry projects that the contractor has done. This can be a very informative method of finding out if the mason you are hiring will be able to do the job that you need them to do and will be a good fit for your project. In order to really know how well they will work, view the actual projects they have completed. Ask them about the quality of the workmanship, how much experience they have and what their references say. This will give you a clear idea of the types of projects that the contractor is capable of doing as well as if they are a good fit for your project.
Check Local Association
Check with your local masonry contractor associations or state masonry contractor associations if there is one in your area. These are great places to ask for referrals from other contractors. They will have a list of some of the best masonry contractors in the Fredericton and can be a great place to start when looking to find the best contractor for your job. Ask for referrals and recommendations from your contractor Fredericton association so you can be sure you are hiring a contractor that has the experience and expertise to do the work that you need done. You can also look up the companies that are members of these associations and see what kind of work they do. This can also give you a better idea of the type of projects that they are capable of completing as well as how much experience they have.
Check for Insurance
Ask if the company you are hiring has insurance coverage for their employees, materials, and their vehicles. It is very important to have insurance coverage so that if anything does go wrong on your project they will be held responsible. There is nothing worse than having something go wrong on your project and not knowing who to hold accountable. Make sure the masonry contractors you hire have a solid insurance policy so you don’t have to worry about that aspect of the job.
Check if they are licensedÂ
Ask if the contractor is licensed in the state that you are working in. This is required in all states of the Canada. A contractor should be licensed in order to do business. Check the contractor’s license number on their business card or website and call your local building department to see if they have a record of them being licensed and if they have any complaints or issues with them.
Payment terms
Ask the masonry contractors you are considering about payment terms. Ask if the company will allow you to pay in full up front, half up front, or on completion. Make sure that the company you are hiring will work with you to find a payment plan that works for you. You should always be able to afford the work that needs to be done but finding a way to pay for it should not put you in financial distress. You may also want to see if the company has financing available to help you finance the project so that it does not impact your budget too much.
Ask for discount
Check with the masonry contractors you are considering about any special pricing or discounts that they offer. If they have an “in house” team of workers that they use regularly, this can save you a lot of money. If they have special pricing for large projects, they may offer it for certain jobs so check to see if this is something that is worth looking into. This is also a great way to get a sense of what kind of work the contractor can do for you.
