Tips for Hiring Contractors
Learn how to protect yourself as a consumer before a contractor starts working on your home.
Tips for Hiring Contractors that work in, on, or around your home:
As a homeowner, you need to protect yourself and your property. It's not your job to insure those folks that should be insuring themselves such as an uninsured handyman.
Be sure to obtain the following items from anyone that you hire:
1. Certificate of Insurance for their General Liability
2. Certificate of Insurance for their Workers' Compensation
3. Certificate of Insurance showing that they are Bonded
4. Get a copy of their current Business License
5. If your Contractor uses Sub-Contractors, then get Certificates of Insurance from the Sub-
Contractors for General Liability, Workers' Compensation, & Bonds.
6. Obtain a copy of the proposed contract or written agreement between you and the
Contractor. Make sure that it has a Hold Harmless agreement that's in your favor.
7. Have your Contractor add you as an Additional Insured on his General Liability policy.
Be sure to get a Certificate of Insurance that lists you as Additional Insured.
Most importantly, advise your insurance agent of the renovations / remodeling / additions that you've made to your home or rental property. Your agent needs to factor in your upgrades to make sure that you've got the proper level of dwelling coverage. This applies to upgrades both inside and outside your home such as the addition of a pool, spa or built-in BBQ.
Be sure to obtain the following items from anyone that you hire:
1. Certificate of Insurance for their General Liability
2. Certificate of Insurance for their Workers' Compensation
3. Certificate of Insurance showing that they are Bonded
4. Get a copy of their current Business License
5. If your Contractor uses Sub-Contractors, then get Certificates of Insurance from the Sub-
Contractors for General Liability, Workers' Compensation, & Bonds.
6. Obtain a copy of the proposed contract or written agreement between you and the
Contractor. Make sure that it has a Hold Harmless agreement that's in your favor.
7. Have your Contractor add you as an Additional Insured on his General Liability policy.
Be sure to get a Certificate of Insurance that lists you as Additional Insured.
Most importantly, advise your insurance agent of the renovations / remodeling / additions that you've made to your home or rental property. Your agent needs to factor in your upgrades to make sure that you've got the proper level of dwelling coverage. This applies to upgrades both inside and outside your home such as the addition of a pool, spa or built-in BBQ.
