Licensed Contractors
Should I use a licensed contractor?
Hiring a licensed contractor is essential for protecting your home, finances, and peace of mind during any construction or renovation project. Licensed contractors have undergone rigorous training, passed exams, and met state requirements (such as experience and financial responsibility checks). This ensures they possess the knowledge and skills to perform work safely and up to code. They are required to carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation. This shields homeowners from costly liabilities if injuries occur on the job or property damage happens.
Unlike unlicensed workers, you could become personally responsible for medical bills, repairs, or lawsuits. Additionally, licensed professionals pull necessary permits and follow building codes. They often provide warranties, reducing the risk of shoddy workmanship that could lead to expensive fixes, failed inspections, or even safety hazards like fires. While unlicensed options may seem cheaper upfront, the potential for poor quality, no recourse if things go wrong, and invalidated home insurance claims make licensed contractors the smarter, safer long-term choice.
In addition, when you go to sell your home, and all of the work has been done by licensed contractors, it means a lot to a prospective buyer. All of the proper permits should be pulled. Believe me, we see this a lot. When a prospective buyer hires us and we can’t find any permits for work that was done, they always ask, “How do we know the work was done correctly?”. This is a good question. We as Home inspectors can only see the surface. We can’t see inside walls to determine if they were built correctly or the plumbing or electrical was installed properly. Save yourself a lot of trouble and heartaches. Ensure that you hire licensed contractors to ensure that you are not only protecting yourself but your future investment also.