Uncategorized

Choosing the Right Contractor in NYC

By Tiffany Smolick

3minutes

Contractor in NYC

New York City residents who have suffered from choosing the wrong home remodeling contractor say that the worst error they made was not checking references. This means doing thorough research on the company’s length of operation, how long they have been providing services in your area, whether they have been licensed by the state of New York and reviews of customers who hired the company to do work on their home.

According to the New York City Department of Affairs, “a business or person must have a home improvement contractor license to engage in the remodeling, repair, construction or addition to any building or land used as a residence. This includes, but is not limited to, the construction, replacement, or improvement of basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, and other improvements to structures or upon land that is next to a home or apartment building”.

Unlicensed home renovation contractors looking to scam home or business owners often exhibit the following behaviors:

•	Asking for full payment upfront
•	Will quote a specific “low” price (professional contractors know that prices can fluctuate and change the original quote. For this reason, they will give you the best estimate possible)
•	Attempt to extend the amount of time needed to complete the job (bogus contractors will fail to show up, increase labor expenditures or provide excuse after excuse why the job is taking so long)
•	Contractors who solicit business by going door-to-door (NEVER accept a job by someone you have never met, especially someone who suddenly knocks on your door)
•	Contractors without a physical office (just because they have a website doesn’t mean they are legitimate. Fly-by-night remodeling contractors will set up a professional-looking website, con some people into paying them before they even start a job, take the site down and flee the area)

Other ways to find a reputable home remodeling company is by asking friends, family or contacting your local public building and works department. Online referral websites such as Angie’s List may help you find a remodeling company that will provide exceptional service and high-grade materials. Also, the Better Business Bureau can not only provide information about a remodeling company but also give you valuable insight into questionable contractors who have scammed people or provided shoddy workmanship.

Additionally, here are some more things you can do prior to hiring a home remodeling company:

•	Ask the contractor how many projects they are currently working on. If a contractor has many in process, this may reduce the amount of time spent on yours
•	Try to be at home at much as possible during the remodeling process–a problem may arise which requires your immediate attention
•	Beware if the contractor makes a remark about having “extra materials” left over from another job that he claims he can charge you less for using. All remodeling jobs should be implemented using new materials especially selected for your renovation project.

Respected and esteemed remodeling contractors like MyHome have been in the renovation industry for many years, is fully licensed and provide customers with professional, dependable service concerning all aspects of home remodeling. When you use MyHome to renovate any room in your home or business, you never have to worry about whether you have chosen the right contractor.

Uncategorized

Tiffany Smolick

In 2015, Tiffany was hired by MyHome to do the CAD drawings for the showroom renovation. Tiffany has been an Admin, Expeditor, office Manger, Showroom Manager and Designer at MyHome. She has acquired extensive knowledge of the daily operations and now applies this knowledge to her current position as Purchasing Manager. Working with design materials is one of her passions and anyone who has worked with her knows how her love of materials is a part of who she is.