Part One – How to choose an irrigation company to install a sprinkler system

If you’re looking for the right irrigation company to install a sprinkler system so that your lawn is the object of your neighbors’ envy, read on! In this interview, we caught up with Phil Sarros of Sarros Landscaping in Cumming, Georgia. He shared some of the common mistakes homeowners make when choosing a company to install a sprinkler system. He also revealed some of the typical ways contractors cut corners.

Phil did landscaping work as a kid and got an engineering degree in college in Ohio. When his wife’s job transferred their family to Georgia, Phil spotted an opportunity to start a landscaping and irrigation company. Today, his engineering background helps him design sprinkler systems that work.

In Part 1 of this series we’ll chat with Phil about the following:

  • Checking the references of the sprinkler contractor
  • Looking for someone is ideally within 5 -10 miles of your home
  • Doing some homework
  • Considering the importance of water pre-tests.

Check the references of the sprinkler contractor.

Online reviews are a good place to start, but Phil cautions against ending your search there. In his opinion, “An online review can never take the place of a real, live person or client.”

Is there anything in particular that you should ask? “First, you want to gauge the communication level of the contractor,” Phil said. “The way a company responds before a sale is indicative of how they’ll respond after the sale. Find out if they’re good communicators.”

Some ways that you can find this out for yourself are seeing if they…

  • Answer the phones.
  • Return calls on the same day.
  • Show up on time.
  • Get the information you requested back to you within a reasonable timeframe.

Remember what Phil said. If a contractor acts this way before they have your money, it’s probably a safe bet that they’ll be even worse at communicating after they have it. Anything else you should ask the company’s clients? Phil advised that you ask if they mind if you drive by to see the job with your own eyes. “Ask if they would they mind sending you pictures.”

He continued, “You also want a client phone number from a job that didn’t go perfectly.” We asked why this way so important. “What you want to see is their level of customer service,” Phil answered. “What did they do to make the client happy? How did they fix the problem? Problems and challenges happen sometimes. It’s part of life. You want an irrigation company that is willing to jump through hoops for you to make things right.”

 

Look for a company that’s within 5-10 miles from your house.

We asked Phil why a client should be picky about this. His answer made sense. “It’s worth waiting for a sprinkler company that’s located nearby. First, irrigation guys love jobs close to their office location. It allows them to be more efficient with their time. Less windshield time for their employees.” We asked Phil how this benefits the homeowner. “This means that the contractor can get to your home quickly,” he said, “especially in case you have a problem. Do you want to wait a few days for someone to come fix a broken head? Or would rather they be able to send a tech over right away? It’s a win-win for the contractor and the client.”

Learn about irrigation so you know what they’re selling you.

If you’re looking to get a sprinkler system for your yard or business, Phil suggested that you first do your homework. “Take the time to learn the industry phrases and jargon,” he said. “Learn the pieces. Learn the common problems associated with sprinkler heads and timers.”

That sounds like a lot of work. Why should you do that? “An educated consumer is a prepared consumer,” Phil said. “This way, [the client] will understand what the contractor is talking about. They will understand the contract’s scope of work. They will also be better able to tell if someone is trying to take advantage of them.”

A great way to do this is to spend some time on Youtube. There are lots of informative videos on sprinkler systems out there. Taking the twenty minutes to watch a few videos might be the difference between getting a system that works properly or not.

Which brings up a good point. What are some of the mistakes and shortcuts irrigation companies will make to sell the job cheap?

Find out if they’ll do a water pressure pre-test.

Every home has a different water pressure reading. It might be:

  • Too low – There’s not enough water flow for the system to work efficiently as designed.
  • Too high – This causes premature wear and stress on pipe, fittings, heads and valves.
  • Or “just right.”

It’s kind of like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

Of course, everyone wants perfect water pressure. Alas, that doesn’t happen for everyone. Why is it important to know what kind of water pressure you have? “Your water pressure will decide the number of zones that you will require,” Paul said. “It also decides how many heads per zone you can safely install.”

“Now, here’s where some sprinkler installers make a mistake,” he said. “They assume that your water pressure is just like the house they did down the block. Next, they design an irrigation system with two zones (a front and a back) based on the wrong pressure. Can you see how this can cause a problem for your system?”

So, you might want to ask for a pre-test BEFORE they design your system to make sure that you get the right system for your home.

And that concludes Part One of this series on how to choose the best sprinkler contractor to work with. We want to thank Phil of Sarros Landscaping again for the golden nuggets of wisdom that he shared. But fear not – Phil isn’t done yet! In Part Two, we will explain how you can protect yourself from some of the common sprinkler problems homeowners face. Some of these are caused by inexperienced installers. Unfortunately, others are caused by people that are trying to cut corners to save a buck. Be sure to catch Part Two so that you can get the best sprinkler contractor to design, install, and maintain your irrigation system.

6 things you need to know about taking a home inventory (and why you should take one)

While taking a home inventory might seem like a tedious, slightly soul-sucking task that’s going to take forever, it’s extremely important when it comes to your home insurance. A home inventory is pretty much a list of the items in each room in your house, along with the estimated cost of each item. Taking a home inventory is fairly straightforward, but we’ll walk you through the benefits of having one and give you some tips for making sure you have a top-notch inventory.

What are the benefits of having a home inventory?

There are a few reasons why we’re advising you to spend a good bit of time wandering around your home with a clipboard and pen.

1. A home inventory will help you in the event of a claim.

If your house was destroyed in a fire or your home is burglarized, you’ll need to have a detailed list of everything that was taken to make sure that you can have everything replaced. Let’s face it – our memories aren’t perfect. We will forget things, especially in the aftermath of a trauma like a fire or a burglary.

2. Having a home inventory will help you negotiate with your insurance company.

It’s a sad reality, but insurance fraud is on the rise, which means that insurance carriers are often skeptical of claims. If you have a home inventory already prepared and ready to go, it’ll help you prove your case to the insurance carrier and make the claims process much smoother.

3. Your home inventory will help you find out if you have enough insurance coverage on your home.

A home inventory can help you find out how much home insurance you need. By taking stock of all of your possessions and their approximate prices, you’ll have an idea of how much coverage you’ll need to make sure that everything can get replaced by your insurance. You should have coverage that matches the cost of your possessions at today’s prices to make sure that your home can be restored as good as new.

Pro tips for taking your home inventory.

Pro tip #1: Be thorough.

Make sure that you visit every room on your home inventory mission, and record all of the contents of that room. Open drawers and cabinets and look in closets to make sure that you’re writing everything down. You don’t want to miss something important.

Pro tip #2: Include photos or video.

Like we mentioned before, insurance fraud is becoming a problem. Having photos or video footage of each room will help you prove your case to the insurance carrier, not to mention help you remember what you need to claim as lost.

Pro tip #3: Keep your receipts.

If you make a significant purchase for your home, like a new television or stereo system, you’ll want to hang on to that receipt and include it in your inventory. Again, this will help you know what you need to claim and how much it cost.

Pro tip #4: Pay extra attention to jewelry, artwork, and furs.

These items will need to be appraised regularly to make sure that you have an accurate representation of their current price. You don’t want to get $1,000 for a necklace that’s actually worth $1,500, right? Plus, you’ll want to make sure that you find out the best way to insure your jewelry, and that starts with knowing all of your pieces and their value. You may need to increase your coverage if one of your valuable possessions goes up in value, and that’s where these appraisals and your inventory come in handy.

Pro tip #5: Store your inventory somewhere safe.

When you’re all done with creating your inventory, make sure that you choose a safe place to stash it, preferably outside of your home. It really won’t help you if your inventory gets destroyed along with your home. Keeping the inventory in a safe deposit box at your bank isn’t a bad idea.

Pro tip #6: Update your inventory regularly.

Make sure that your inventory is up to date. If you’re not checking it and adding to it regularly, it won’t include new items that you’ve purchased. Plus, going over your inventory at least once a year will help you make sure that you’ve still got enough insurance to protect your personal possessions.

Having an inventory can really make a difference if you ever face a major loss related to your home. It will really help you if you have to file an insurance claim. With an inventory, you’ll know exactly what to claim and how much coverage you need. Set aside some time and work away at taking that inventory – you’ll thank yourself later.

To help you in your inventory-related endeavors, we’ve got a PDF of an inventory checklist for you to download and follow as a guide. Download our inventory checklist

Need insurance? We can help! Whether it’s home insurance, auto insurance, or renters’ insurance, we can talk to you about your specific insurance needs and get you a free quote.

How to choose a business to pressure wash your wood deck or fence

If you’re looking to pressure wash your grungy deck or fence then you will enjoy this article.

Today we talk with Dustin of Dustin’s Pressure Washing in Gwinnett County, Ga.

In this article, you will learn:

  • The common mistake made that can splinter your deck’s boards
  • Why it’s important to communicate your expectations with your deck cleaner before they start
  • How to prevent streaking on the boards of your wooden deck
  • The benefits of NOT using chemicals to clean your deck
  • Where to go to do your research before selecting someone to work with

Dustin has been pressure washing homes for 15 years. He started as a young man wanting to have a small after school job. He pressure washed a house for a lady in his neighborhood and he was hooked for life. Dustin revealed the importance of understanding these things before choosing a deck power washing contractor:

  • Setting expectations before the deck cleaner begins
  • Hiring an experienced deck cleaning service to pressure wash the wood
  • Finding someone you can trust
  • Considering whether or not you want to use chemicals

Let’s talk about power washing your deck or wood fencing.

Dustin says that it takes experience to understand the structure of wood and to know the spray tip size and water pressure required to clean it right. Why is this important? If you don’t select them right it can cause many problems. For example, inexperienced washers can blast your deck and cause lots of damage to it. We will talk more about that in a moment.

The importance of setting expectations.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • What are my expectations about having my deck pressure washed?
  • Am I expecting it to look brand new after it’s washed?
  • If my deck is in poor shape, am I willing to repair the bad boards so that my deck looks good again?
  • Am I planning on painting or staining my deck to cover over the imperfections later?

Dustin says that some people expect miracles from power washing a poorly maintained wooden deck. Unfortunately, if you have a five-year-old deck that has not been sealed and protected it’s going to have issues. A professional deck washer will set the expectations for the final results ahead of time so that the homeowner understands what they’re going to get from the pressure wash. If they don’t do this, you might not be happy with the results. In fact, if they don’t bring it up, you should before they ever begin.

What happens when an inexperienced pressure washer works on a poorly maintained deck?

It’s not pretty.

A high-pressure blast from a pressure washing machine can cause your deck to splinter and crack. We challenged Dustin on “cracking” a board with water and he informed us that an industrial tool called a water jet cutter can actually cut through STEEL. A high PSI pressure washer in the wrong hands can easily break a window, damage your deck, or hurt someone.

We Googled “pressure washer dangers” and found this scary statistic: A Consumer Reports article stated that, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 6,047 people went to the emergency room for pressure-washing-related injuries in 2014. 14% of those patients needed to be hospitalized.

The lesson? Never point a pressure washer at someone or yourself. Have a professional pressure wash your deck.

Tips for cleaning your wood deck and wooden fence

Dustin shared the following tips with us:

  • For the best results, start with a deck with good, solid boards. You can only do so much with rotting or splintering wood.
  • Use a low-pressure stream of water.
  • Set your tip to a wide spray stream of water.
  • Wash one board at a time from top to bottom to ensure no lines or stops or starts in the finish. In fact, he compared it to what you would do it if you were staining your deck. One smooth clean motion creates the best effect.
  • Know that some dirt is so entrenched into the boards that it almost acts as a stain to the wood. Dustin said you have to take your time and keep your eye on it. He describes this method as going by “inch by inch.”
  • Be prepared to replace worn or damaged boards so the whole deck looks like new again.
  • Seal your deck annually to protect it.

How to find a good contractor to pressure wash your deck

There’s a lot of competition out there. In fact, Dustin told us that there are over 450 pressure washers in his zip code alone! Anyone with a pressure washer and a pick-up truck is out there cleaning decks. So, take your time to do your research before hiring one. Dustin recommends using websites like Angie’s List or Home Advisor that prescreen contractors and do background checks for you. He also recommended looking at Google reviews.

Ask your deck washing service if they are environmentally friendly

Dustin is an animal lover and chooses to not use harsh chemicals when cleaning decks and fences. In fact, he said that the one time he did use one of these chemicals, it ruined a new shirt! If it ruins your shirt, what does it do to your lungs, your cat or dog’s paws, and the environment?

We hope these tips will be helpful when you’re choosing a deck washing company in Atlanta. Take your time and do your research. Dustin is willing to answer any question you have and can be reached at his website.

Maintaining your home is one way to protect your investment. Affordable home insurance from Atlanta Insurance is another. Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you! We’re here to help you get the coverage you need at the best possible rate – if you fill out our quote form or give us a call, we’ll get you a free quote!

Source:

http://www.consumerreports.org/pressure-washers/safety-alert-under-pressure/

Part Two: How to choose a contractor to remodel your bathroom

As promised, here is Part Two of our article about choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom! If you missed Part One, you can go back and read it here.

We’re going to continue our interview with Arthur Short of Nothing Short of a Handyman2. We’re going to talk about pushy salesmen, common contractor scams, why buying a foreclosed property might not be a great idea, and the importance of licensing.

Is the contracting company hounding you?

No one likes being harassed by pushy salespeople, right? Arthur said, “Whenever a salesman hounds me to see if I’m ready to sign the agreement, it’s a warning to me.”

We asked him why this was such a red flag. He added, “A contractor should have better things to do than to keep calling customers to see if they have questions about the proposal. If they keep calling me, that tells me they aren’t busy. I only want people that are in demand to do work for me.”

That’s why Arthur has the philosophy of giving a customer a quote that’s good for 30 days. “If they have questions, they have my phone number on the contract,” he said. “I won’t chase them. I understand that sometimes people are just not ready to commit or get started. They’ll contact me when they’re ready. In the meanwhile, I have plenty to do to keep us busy.”

You don’t have to put up with pushy salespeople who want you to sign today. You have the right to sleep on any home improvement contract before signing it when you’re choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom.

You also might want to keep looking if the contractor that you found:

  • Seems a bit too hungry for your business.
  • Can’t give you a specific start date.
  • Seems anxious or nervous.
  • Changes anything on the contract without discussing it with you first.

Beware of these common contracting scams and homeowner pitfalls

There are plenty of contractors out there that are perfectly willing to take your money and never come back. It’s people like them who give home improvement contractors a bad name. A con artist can quickly talk you out of your money, and even street smart people get hustled every day. That’s why it’s important to only work with contractors that you heard about from family and friends who have had good experiences with them. As a rule, don’t do business with a doorbell ringer. Reputable contractors don’t go knocking on doors looking for business.

Another good tip is to never pay the bill in full until the job is 100% done to your satisfaction. “I’ve had to stop people from writing me a check in full at the beginning of the job,” Arthur said. “I tell them to never pay the job in full upfront. You should hold back some of the money to make sure the job is done to your satisfaction.” Arthur only asks for 50% up front. “I don’t want anything else from them until the job is done and they’re a happy customer.”

Is there a written contract?

Make sure they provide you with a detailed contract that specifies what they’ll be doing and what materials they will be using. The contract should detail what’s included and what’s excluded, and it should also outline your warranty for the work. Never give money to anyone before having a written contract that both of you sign.

If a contractor doesn’t have a professional contract, that should be a warning red flag to you that they are not a serious businessman.

Beware of mysterious change orders.

A change order gives the contractor permission to do something above and beyond what the contract calls for. Remember, you must authorize all change orders in writing before any changes are started. Verbal agreements are not sufficient. Any change must be in the form of a signed addendum to the contract. Some scam artists will give you a cheap price up front and then try to charge you for extras that you didn’t authorize. Never pay for a change order that you didn’t authorize. This way both the homeowner and the contractor are protected.

Sometimes Arthur gets called in to fix bad workmanship from other contractors.

We asked Arthur if he ever has to fix poor workmanship from other companies. He answered, “Yes all the time. Many big box retailers sell hardwood flooring and offer installation. Unfortunately, they don’t stand behind their work. We’ve had to go back and rip out flooring and reinstall it again properly for our clients.”

So, the lesson is to choose a local small business to work with rather than a big chain store when you’re selecting a contractor to remodel your bathroom. This way you’re most likely in contact with the owner, who can address any concerns you might have.

“Sometimes the contractor will leave unfinished work,” Arthur added. “This drives my clients crazy. For example, an electrician may cut holes to run wires to add a light or an outlet. Then they leave without repairing the drywall. Now the customer has holes in their bathroom walls and ceilings. This means they now have to hire a drywall repair guy and a painter to finish the job. It winds up costing them a lot more because they have to pay three different contractors to get the job done.”

You’ll save money if you hire a remodeling company that can do all the work in-house. Ask them if they can take care of everything you need, not just part of the job. And remember to check your proposal for exclusions like drywall repair, painting, and cleanup.”

What could happen if you buy a house without checking it out beforehand?

“One of our clients bought a house without ever having a builder look at it for them, and this caused some major problems later on,” Arthur said. We asked Arthur to elaborate a bit more about home inspectors. He answered, “Sadly, some hired home inspectors don’t point out serious structural issues. In the example I’m thinking of, the home inspector was recommended by the realtor. Apparently, the realtor didn’t want the home inspector to point anything out that would jeopardize closing on the sale. As a result, the inspector pointed out a few cosmetic things that were easily seen. However, the big structural problem due to rain getting behind the siding and rotting out the whole door frame was not brought to the purchaser’s attention. Apparently, the original homeowner also knew about the problem and concealed it.” How did Arthur know the original homeowner must have been aware? “When we pulled the molding off the door that needed replacing we could see there was no header or frame. It had all rotted out. Cosmetic repairs had been made to hide the problem. In the end, it cost the new homeowner almost $6,000 to fix the water damage.”

We asked Arthur if a good contractor could have pointed this out before the family bought the home. Arthur answered, “Yes, all they had to do was check the crawl space to see the rotting floor near the door frame beneath the home.”

There are many foreclosures for sale in the greater Atlanta area. Sometimes a deal that is too good to be true is too good for a reason. There are reports of foreclosures where the contractors were never paid by the builder. When the builder went bankrupt, angry subcontractors cut electrical wires and plumbing pipes to get revenge. That’s why the unwary home buyer looking to get a deal on a house can get stuck with a lemon instead.

Arthur suggested, “Add a good home improvement contractor onto your Rolodex of go-to people if you are looking to buy a home.” If you also want to hire a home inspector, be sure to hire a trustworthy one that doesn’t have a business relationship with the realtor. You want both the home improvement contractor and the home inspector to be looking out for your interests, not the realtor’s or the home seller’s. However, remember that a home inspector doesn’t take the place of a trusted contractor.

Potential problems for bathroom remodels in older homes:

We asked Arthur about any problems that could arise when remodeling a bathroom. “This has become a specialty of ours: we’ll remove the existing bathtub and build a custom 4’x6’ walk-in shower for them. Sometimes there are old galvanized pipes that pose a problem. They need to be replaced with a better product that will last longer.”

Arthur went on to explain, “Other times there are structural issues with rotten floors or walls hidden by tile. The point is that a contractor can only bid your job by what they see. A contractor sometimes can’t get a true sense of what needs to be done until the original things are removed. To repair any hidden problems above and beyond the contract will require a change order signed by the homeowner.”

A wise homeowner will budget a little extra for unforeseen problems. If you don’t, your project may go over budget later on and put you in debt that you weren’t expecting.

Are they licensed to do the work?

Many times, a handyman or contractor will want to do the work for you, but they won’t have the proper licensing. If you don’t check first, how can you be sure that they know the correct way to do it? How do you know if they’ll meet the local laws and codes? If you’re spending thousands of dollars to remodel your bathroom, then you deserve to have a company that is licensed properly. Arthur added, “We carry certifications and licensing for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. This saves you money in two ways. First, you don’t have to pay twice—in other words, you don’t have to pay someone to come back and fix the mistakes. Second, you don’t have to pay for a plumber, an electrician, and an HVAC contractor separately. One phone call does it all.”

We hope that this two-part article on what you need to know before hiring a contractor to remodel your bathroom has been helpful to you. Here at Atlantainsurance.com we’re focused on providing consumer-based information to help you make good decisions. After all, an incorrectly installed shower head or drain could cause water damage to your home. An incorrectly installed recessed can light or wall mount fixture could cause a house fire. Sure, you have home insurance to help protect you from these things, but the point is hiring a trustworthy company is the first step in protecting your home.

We want to thank Arthur Short of Nothing Short of a Handyman2 for answering our questions so generously. He is available to answer any questions you may have at his website. If you’d like to read Part One of this article, click here.

Need quotes for your home, renters, life, or car insurance? We can help you out! We’ll get you a free quote and help you find the best coverage at the lowest possible rate.

Part One: How to choose a contractor to remodel your bathroom

If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, read on!

You deserve an awesome bathroom, so we caught up with Arthur Short, whose company, Nothing Short of a Handyman2, has been remodeling Atlanta bathrooms with custom showers and gorgeous vanities since 2000. He’s got some great advice for choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom!

Arthur told us that he’s always liked to work with his hands. We asked Arthur what’s been the key to his success, and he replied, “We’ve made a success of our business because we know it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. Instead, we work hard to make our clients happy. Many times, they become closer than family. They come back to us or refer friends to us year after year. This is the only way to build a contracting business.”

There are many home improvement contractors in Atlanta that could redo your bathroom. We asked Arthur to share a few pointers on how to select the right remodeling contractor to work with.

He quickly rattled off a few helpful questions to ask:

  • How long have they been in business?
  • Do they have references?
  • What kind of customer service do they provide?
  • What are they going to do and why are they going to do it? Can they explain their plan?
  • How do they handle themselves?
  • Will they use subcontractors or will they do the work themselves?
  • Do they have insurance?

Let’s take these one at a time.

How long have they been in business?

You want to make sure that the contractor you choose not only has the`experience to do the job but will be here to warranty the work later. You don’t want someone practicing on your bathroom plumbing, tile, and electrical wiring, do you?

Here are some things to look for…

  • Good online reviews.
  • A professional-looking, quality website.
  • If they have the same name and business phone number that they started with.

We asked Arthur why it’s so important that the company has had the same phone number since they opened their business. He said, “The only reason someone changes phone numbers is to duck angry customers and bill collectors. We’ve had the same business number since we started in 2000. I have people tell me all the time, ‘You did work for us years ago. I can’t believe you have the same phone number! Can you help our friends out?’”

Do they have good references?

Arthur said, “Look at their website again — it can serve as one of the best references for the contractor. What does it say about them? Is it professional? Their website reflects the kind of work they’ll do for you. Are there pictures on their website of the work they’ve done in the past? I have all kinds of pictures of work we’ve done on my website, and I tell customers that I’ll gladly give them the name and phone number of the homeowner that corresponds to the picture they want to know more about.”

He continued, “Are they confident in their work? Are they proud of past jobs they have done? I treat my customer’s home just like it was mine. I build a really good relationship with them so they are only happy to tell new customers about the work I have done for them.”

So before you hire a contractor, talk to their references and check out any pictures of work they’ve done. You can even use websites like Angieslist.com or homeadvisor.com.

What kind of customer service do they provide?

“Customer service is important to me personally,” Arthur said. “I’ve paid money out of my own pocket to get out of contracts with companies that gave me bad customer service. That’s why I treat my customers like family. I’m a hands-on business owner. I do the sales, proposals, management, and the physical work on the job site. My name is attached to it and so I want it done right.”

Arthur told us that he treats his employees like family too. He added, “When I go on vacation I don’t have to worry because I trust them. They know how I want it done and they have been trained to do it that way.”

Notice how the contractor talks to his helpers and about his employees. Customer service starts within the company itself. A wise business owner understands that his employees are his first customers. They know that if they take care of the employees first, the customer will always be taken care of too.

Returning phone calls.

Another point that Arthur brought up is how the contractor handles phone calls—specifically, whether or not they actually return them. He said, “Think about it. Why would a contractor refuse to return phone calls? The answer is that they are usually ducking and dodging unhappy customers. On the other hand, my business line is forwarded to my cell phone after hours so that I’m always available to my customers. After all, that’s what customer service should be about, right?”

Use how/if they answer the phone as a gauge of how they will do the work in your home. Are they professional? Do they answer the phone? How long does it take them to return your call? If they act unprofessionally when you want to give them money, how will they act when they have your money and you want customer service later on?

Ask them to explain what they’re going to do and why.

If they hem and haw about their plan, that should be a red flag. If they can’t explain it, they might not know what they’re doing, or they could be planning on taking your money and running. Look for a contractor that takes the time to educate you. If they can’t explain your “what” or “why” questions, it’s best to find someone that can. You deserve to feel comfortable with the entire remodeling process.

How do they handle themselves?

Arthur told us that his prospects start examining him from the moment that he pulls up to the house and walks up the driveway for an estimate. He recommends that you do the same. “What’s their appearance? What does their vehicle look like? Is it maintained? Is it clean? Does it look professional?”

He continued, “How do they handle themselves while in your home? If they don’t believe in themselves, then why should you? Trust your gut instincts. Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable about them personally then step away.”

It comes down to this: what does your gut tell you? Listen to your instincts. If your “Spidey senses” are tingling, there’s usually a good reason not to work with that remodeling company.

Will they use subcontractors or will they do the work themselves?

This is something to think about. Who will physically be doing the work at your home? Are they an employee or a subcontractor? Does it even matter? The answer is yes, it does. “The problem comes up if you have to sue the signer of the contract,” Arthur said. “Let’s say the contractor doesn’t finish the work according to the contract. It may be faulty or perhaps the GC takes your money and skips town. If a subcontractor did the work, then you have no recourse to protect yourself.”

Do they have insurance?

We asked Arthur why a homeowner has no protection with a subcontractor. He shared, “The sub did not sign your contract, so he doesn’t work for you. Instead, his contract was with the General Contractor that skipped town. Plus, many time subs do not carry insurance. You want to make sure that everyone working on your home remodel has proper insurance.”

Ask the contractor to see proof of insurance before you hire them. Then ask if all workers on your project will be covered. One of our foremost rules is to only work with contractors who have at the very least general liability insurance.

Do they offer suggestions, ideas, and advice to save you money?

Arthur has asked his clients why they like working with him. These are some of the answers he gets:

  • The other contractors talked down to me.
  • Other contractors spoke over my head, so I didn’t understand what they were saying.
  • Other contractors never offered any ideas. They didn’t have anything to offer even though I like getting new ideas.
  • Other contractors didn’t show me ways that I could save money.

Arthur said, “It comes down to this. You as the homeowner know what you want, but you might not be sure how to get there.”

If the contractor you’re considering fails these tests, you might want to keep looking to find the right company to work with. Look for a contractor that takes a consultative approach to helping you get what you want. Ask them for suggestions to see what they have to offer. A bathroom remodeler who’s done many jobs should have plenty of pictures of showers, vanities, lighting fixtures, and cabinet ideas for you to look at.

This concludes Part One of How to Choose a Contractor to Remodel Your Bathroom. In Part Two, we’ll talk about salesmen, licensing, common contractor scams, and why buying a foreclose might not be a great idea. Special thanks to Arthur Short! You can check out his company, Nothing Short of a Handyman2, on their website.  

Part 2: How to choose a concrete contractor to repair your driveway

In Part One of this series, Matt Cook of Complete Concrete & Masonry shared some great tips on what to look for in a driveway contractor in Atlanta. If you missed Part One, click here to read it.

We left off as we were discussing what you need to be aware of when it comes to signing a contract for your driveway work. We were just digging into why the scope of work section of the contract is so important, and we noted that it’s important for the scope of work to be as detailed as possible.

Make sure your scope of work answers these questions before you sign on the dotted line.

  • What PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) will the concrete be?
  • What kind of mix will it be?
  • How thick will the concrete be?
  • What kind of sub-base will you use?
  • How many contraction joints will be installed?
  • How far apart will the contraction joints be?
  • How will the concrete be reinforced?
  • What kind of finish will be applied to the concrete when it is completed?
  • How high will my retaining wall be?
  • Are permit costs included?
  • Will it have the proper slope away from my house?
  • Does the contract include site prep work?
  • Does the contract include clean up?
  • What are the payment terms?
  • Will they contact the Georgia Utilities Protection Center before starting work?

Whoa, that’s a lot. Let’s talk about these one at a time, so Matt can give suggestions to help you.

Are prep work and clean up included in your Atlanta concrete driveway estimate?

Matt said that he loses some jobs because the other concrete company seems cheaper. The problem is that many times the prep work and clean-up work is excluded from the bid. This means that the homeowner has additional money to pay that they weren’t planning on. Other times the homeowner is stuck cleaning up the mess for themselves. Can you see how frustrating this would be for you? That’s why it’s so important to have this in the scope of work.

What are the payment terms?

Many scammers posing as concrete contractors have take advantage of trusting Atlanta homeowners. They will give a much cheaper price than the competition does. They might ask for a 50% deposit before the work is done…and then you never hear from them again. Of course, anyone can give you a cheap price if they never intend to actually do the work! That’s why it’s crucial that the company has a good reputation.

Other times, people feel pressured to pay in full before the clean-up work is completed to your satisfaction. The lesson? Make sure that the job is done and that you’re happy before making that final payment.

“This is why we rarely require a deposit before starting on a driveway for someone,” Matt said. “We only ask for payment after they are 100% satisfied. On occasion, if we have to lay out money for costly pavers we will ask for the payment of materials before work is done. But we don’t ask for a check until the material has been dropped off on the homeowner’s property.” This is a win-win for both the concrete company and the homeowner because both of your interests are protected.

What PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) will the concrete be?

It’s tempting for a concrete company to install a lower PSI for your driveway to save money. This is how many can win your business with a lower price. “For example, many builders only use a 2500 PSI to do new sidewalks and driveways,” Matt explained. “On the other hand, we only use 4000 PSI concrete for our customers. This means your driveway will last longer.”

So, you might want to ask for 4000 PSI concrete and make sure it is written in your contract.

How will the concrete be reinforced?

Another way inexperienced concrete installers might look to save money is by ignoring the need to reinforce your concrete. Reinforcing the concrete structurally strengthens it and keeps it together by minimizing cracks when the earth settles.  “This is why we always install steel rebar in all of our concrete pours,” Matt said. “Many of my competitors choose to not use this. I view it as cheap insurance to prevent settling cracks and displacement. After all, I provide a five-year warranty for all of the driveways and sidewalks we install.”

How high will my retaining wall be?

How high does a retaining wall have to be? Matt said that it’s not up to you and me. Instead, an engineer must provide a letter to specify the required height. The contractor must bring this letter to the county for approval. Skipping this step will cost you a lot of headaches and money, as an inspector may require you to rip the wall out and pay to build it again. The moral of the story is to require an engineer’s letter to decide your retaining wall height and make sure this is in your contract.

Are concrete permit costs included?

Some cities require that you have a permit before any concrete work is started. The city of Atlanta and the city of Decatur both require concrete permits. What if your contractor forgot to secure the permit and starts work? Matt explained, “First, your job site will be shut down and no more work will be allowed until this is addressed. Second, there will be substantial fees to pay.” So, make sure your contract covers all permits and fees that are required in your city.

What kind of sub-base will you use on my concrete pour?

Sometimes a low area of your property must be filled before the concrete is poured to prevent an uneven pour or water sloping toward your home. To save money, some concrete companies will use dirt to do this.

But Matt warned, “You don’t want them to use dirt as a sub-base because dirt will settle. This means your concrete will crack later on.” What does Matt suggest instead? He tells us, “We will only use self-leveling gravel as a sub-base. Gravel is the best thing to ensure minimal settling later on.”

How many contraction joints will be installed in my concrete?

Since concrete is a very hard surface, many people are surprised that it expands and contracts with the weather. That can lead to cracking, but there’s a way to prevent that from happening. The answer is installing expansion joints, otherwise known as contraction joints. Matt shared the following advice: “Typically expansion joints are installed every 10-12 feet on center. Years ago, every 15-20 feet was normal, but we find you have more stability placing them every 10-12 feet.”

How deep will my expansion joints be?

“Many of our competitors install expansion joints that are a quarter of an inch deep,” Matt said. “The problem with that is that the crack can actually start out of the expansion joint.” What does Matt suggest? “We always come back the NEXT day to finish our expansion joints. We saw cut them to the proper depth of one inch deep. This minimizes cracks coming out of your contraction joint.”

How thick will my concrete pour be?

This is another trick used by some concrete installers to lower their costs and save money. Many will pour three-inch or three-and-a-half-inch thick driveways to save a few bucks on yards of concrete purchased. We asked Matt how he figured out that people were using this trick. He answered, “It’s simple. I get calls every day to replace driveways. When we break up the old concrete, it’s very clear that the concrete is only three inches deep at times. Yes, it might have saved the homeowner a few dollars up front, but costs double that when they have to pay me to come and fix someone else’s work.”

Therefore, make sure that your concrete slab is at least four inches thick.

A cracked sidewalk or driveway is a huge trip risk. While it’s true that your homeowner’s insurance is there for you, why risk having someone get hurt—not to mention the subsequent lawsuit? Getting those dangerous cracks repaired is part of being a responsible homeowner, and having the concrete installed properly in the first place is the way to go.

We hope you found this article on how to choose a concrete driveway contractor in Atlanta helpful. We believe that you deserve to know the facts before you sign on the dotted line. We’re grateful for Matt Cook of Complete Concrete and Masonry for all the valuable information he shared with us! If you would like to ask Matt a question about your driveway, he can be reached at his website.

Need insurance? We can help! Give us a call today or fill out our quote form and we’ll get you a free quote on your home insurance, auto insurance, renters’ insurance, life insurance, or even business insurance. 

How to choose a business to pressure wash your roof

If the stains on your roof are beginning to drive you crazy, you might be thinking of hiring a roofing cleaner. In just a few hours your roof can be sparkling like new again. The key, though, is hiring the right roof cleaning company. We interviewed Jeremy Cassel of JSC Pressure Washing, located in McDonough, GA, to get his advice about choosing a roof cleaning company.

Jeremy started pressure washing tractor trailers while working for a cousin in Ohio back in 2008. When he moved to McDonough, GA, he passed out some fliers to start his own residential pressure washing business. “I’ve invested in $15,000 worth of pressure washing gear to clean roofs correctly,” Jeremy said. “This is not a cheap business to get started in. You must understand how each piece of equipment works when you’re working with caustic chemicals because your equipment could break down fast.”

What questions should our readers ask of their roof cleaning company?

  • How much experience do you have in roof washing?
  • What kind of water pressure will you use to clean my roof?
  • What’s your plan for rinsing my roof?
  • How will you protect my garden?
  • Are you insured?
  • Could I see some references?

How much experience do they have?

 “Your roof washing contractor needs to have the experience to know which chemicals to use. A pressure washing professional knows what chemicals to use and the correct concentration of chemicals to use when cleaning your roof. For example, sometimes you might have red mud stains on your home. An acid must be used first, then a degreaser works best as a catalyst to remove it. On the other hand, the green mold must be killed with a bleaching agent. If you attack all stains with the same chemical, you’ll be disappointed with the results you get.”

Power washing contractors are a dime a dozen. Not all of them have the experience or equipment to wash roofs correctly. So, ask how long they have been washing roofs.

These additional questions will also help you to see how experienced they really are.

What kind of water pressure will they use?

“Will they use high pressure? Or will they soft wash it?” Jeremy said. “Here’s the problem with using high pressure to wash your roof. First, it can destroy your roofing shingles by blowing the granules off. It can also break shingles. Finally, you can force water underneath your shingles, which can lead to water damage and mold. When you soft wash the roof, the first thing you do is chemically douse your roof. The key thing is to let the chemicals do the work. Not the water pressure! Then all you have to do is a soft wash rinse to remove the cleaning chemicals.”

As far as how mold gets on the roof in the first place, Jeremy had this to say: “Mold spores fly through the air looking for a dark shady spot to land and grow. Is any part of your roof in the shade? Black mold loves to eat lime. Lime is used to help weigh down your shingles. Eventually, mold can burn a hole through your shingles.”

 

Next question: What’s their plan to clean your roof?

 If they don’t want to share it, then you need to hire someone else.

“Make sure that they use enough water to rinse your roofing shingles,” Jeremy advised. “The chemicals need to be diluted with water at a 10 to 1 ratio. Do not leave any chemicals on the roof. For every gallon of chemical used, you’ll need to spray three to four gallons of water to rinse it properly.” Why is it so important to use enough water? “If you leave too much chemical on your roof, it will corrode your gutters and you’ll need to replace them sooner than you want to.”

How will they protect your garden?

Jeremy said that roof washing chemicals can harm your garden. “Extra care must be taken to protect bushes, flowers, and vegetable gardens. Cover them with plastic tarps and use extra care when using chemicals in these areas. Do they offer you the option of cleaning your roof with biodegradable chemicals that won’t harm your bushes and plants? It’s true that these environmentally safe chemicals cost more to treat a roof, but it’s a lot less money than replacing all of your bushes, flowers, and plants.”

Remember to protect your pets.

“It’s best to keep your animals inside your home while you’re having your roof cleaned. The mist from the chemicals used can hurt your animal’s lungs. The chemicals that are washed off of your roof can harm your animal’s feet. The same goes for children! Make sure they have shoes on, no bare feet allowed. Keep them indoors while [the workers] spray your roof.”

Do they have liability insurance?

Respectfully ask to see proof of insurance. Check the date of coverage make sure that it’s up-to-date. An outdated insurance policy isn’t going to help you if they cause an accident at your house. Jeremy said they should have a $1 million liability policy. “Accidents can easily happen when using a pressure washer with 4000 PSI at 88 gallons per minute. A window can break easily if you’re not paying attention to where you’re working.”

How reputable are they?

“Check Google for reviews,” Jeremy suggested. “I’ve been doing this almost 10 years now. Every year the competition grow stronger. Unfortunately, there are many fly-by-night companies out there that want to wash your roof. So, take the time to check them out.”

Any final tips for our readers looking to hire the right roof washing service?

 “Sometimes while [I’m] washing the roof the homeowner will ask me to wash their siding also. Do you have cedar siding? It’s important that pressure washing cedar siding is done perfectly with the grain. An experienced power washing company understands this. But an inexperienced person with a Home Depot pressure washer will wash it any old way. In the end, you’ll get splintering and you’ll see lines and indentations on every board. You will not be happy with what you paid for. It always cost less to go with a contractor that is experienced and has a good reputation.”

We hope you found this article helpful. Here at Atlanta Insurance, we’re serious about helping you protect your home. We want to think Jeremy Cassell of JSC Pressure Washing for giving this helpful information on finding a company to pressure wash your roof. If you want a free quote on pressure washing your roof in the greater McDonough and Stockbridge area, you can contact Jeremy on his website.

If you want a free quote for your insurance, we can help! We can help you build a customized insurance plan to protect your family and home. We’ll help you get the coverage you need at the best possible rate. All you have to do is fill out our quote form or give us a call today.

Part One: How to choose a concrete contractor to repair your driveway

Learn how to avoid the common mistakes homeowners make when choosing a concrete contractor to repair their driveway.

If you have a cracked or sinking driveway and you’re looking for someone to fix it for you, then this article will be useful. We interviewed Matt Cook of Complete Concrete and Masonry in Woodstock, GA.

Matt started to work for his cousin 15 years ago doing sales and estimating for concrete work and repairs, but 11 years ago he took the plunge and started working for himself. Matt’s company specializes in residential driveway repairs, patios, and masonry. He said there are two things that influence his work ethic: his love for the Golden Rule in business—treating others the way he would want to be treated—and that his father was a hard worker who taught him to be particular in his work.

We asked Matt what you should know before choosing a driveway repair company.

Matt advised that you always research the company. He suggested that you find out:

  • How long their crew has been with the company.
  • What kind of warranty the company provides.
  • How long they’ve been in business.
  • Whether or not they have insurance.
  • What’s included and excluded in the concrete work.

Always research the concrete company.

Matt suggested using websites that filter out the reputable concrete companies from those that don’t care about customer service. You can use websites like Kudzu or Angie’s List to do this very easily. Read the reviews and focus on how the company provides customer service.

Here’s a tip: Look at how recent the referrals are. Sometimes you’ll see a concrete company that had reviews 4 or 5 years ago, but nothing since then. Why should you care about this? Management and supervising personnel—and their attitudes—change over the years. The awesome people that were bragged about on Angie’s List 4 years ago may now work for another concrete company.

Here’s another tip: Ask how long the concrete installers that will be working at your home have been with the company. There’s a high turnover with crews at many driveway replacement companies. You want the best crew to work on your driveway, don’t you?

We appreciated what Matt had to say about his own crew. “I’ve had the same bunch of guys working for me for the last 10 years,” he explained. “They’re reliable, dependable and trustworthy. Each of them has at least 20 years of concrete experience. There’s no need to micromanage them because they know how I want the job done.” There probably aren’t too many business owners who can say that!

What kind of concrete warranty does the company provide?

Many driveway installers don’t offer a warranty. Perhaps they imply that they’ll guarantee their work, but that’s not enough. Remember, if it’s not in writing it’s not enforceable.

Tip: Make sure the warranty is part of the written contract, and make sure it spells out what it does and does not cover. Matt said, “If there’s no written warranty, that should be a huge red flag about working with them.”

Complete Concrete and Masonry includes its warranty as part of each and every contract. Matt offers a five-year warranty against major cracking (cracks over 3/16″), major scaling, water holding, and improper sloping away from the house.

The lesson? Always get a written warranty as part of your contract.

How long have they been in business?

This goes hand-in-hand with having a 5-year warranty. Companies open and go belly-up every day. You probably want a company that’s been around long enough to service a 5-year warranty on its work. Choose a company that has a five-year track record of happy clients.

Are they insured?

There are lots of people that like to “play” concrete contractor – without insurance. Matt told us, “The industry standard is a $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy for residential concrete work. With regards to workers’ compensation, the state of Georgia requires all concrete companies to carry workers’ comp if they have more than three employees.”

Matt suggested that you request the contractor to have their insurance company send you a certificate with you listed as the certificate holder. Why is insurance important? What if the workers accidentally splash cement all over your new car’s paint? What if they back the cement truck up and dent your car or fence? Who will pay for these things to be repaired? Thus, you should always ask for proof of insurance.

Will they contact the Georgia Utilities Protection Center before starting work?

Did you know that if a concrete crew starts to break up your existing concrete or dig in your yard it could mean thousands of dollars in fines for you? “Your front yard may contain water pipes, natural gas lines, phone company cables, cable TV conduits, and electrical power lines,” Matt said. “It’s important to contact the UPC before starting any work. They’ll identify all underground utilities so that they aren’t damaged by accident. Failure to do so may result in thousands of dollars in fines to repair the damaged pipes and wires.”

So, make sure your contractor calls UPC before beginning any work on your property.

Matt shared a tip that will help you prepare for the future.

Matt shared, “We always recommend installing a PVC pipe under the sidewalk and driveway for future access. This will allow you to, later on, add low voltage lifting, outdoor speakers, cable or phone lines, or wiring for a sprinkler system.” This is a small investment to future-proof your yard!

What does the concrete work include and, more importantly, exclude?

“Having a driveway contractor provide you a contract that says they will install a new concrete driveway for you is not enough,” Matt said. “You must insist on getting a scope of work with your contract. Without a scope of work, there are too many unknown surprises for the homeowner later. It must be clearly defined and not vague at all.”

Matt continued, “Some people just want a bottom dollar price. They don’t care about quality or the concrete lasting for many years. As a result, many concrete installers will look to do it as cheaply as possible and want to get in and out as quickly as possible. In the end, [the homeowner] gets what they pay for. A lot of the time I get called in to repair bad concrete jobs.” So, how long do you want your concrete to last? If you want the job done right, you’re going to have to look at the scope of the work.

That, of course, begs the question of what the scope of work should include. We’ll cover that, plus other driveway-related things that you might never have thought about, in Part Two of this article. Our goal is to educate you so that you can make an informed decision about what to ask for and what to look for when you’re having work done on your driveway. You can check out Complete Concrete and Masonry’s website here

Need insurance for your home, car, or rental property? Or are you looking for life insurance? Give us a call or fill out our quote form today and we can get you a free quote! We’re committed to getting you the best coverage for the lowest possible rate. 

How to choose a window washing company

Let’s face it – we’ve all been there when it comes to icky, grimy windows. Over time they just get dirty, and so you might be thinking about hiring a company to wash them and get rid of the grossness once and for all. But windows are breakable, so you want to make sure that you hire a reputable window washer to take care of the glass. We spoke with Nathan Neal of Squeeky Kleen Window Washing to find out what to look out for when hiring a window washing company.

We asked Nathan what he loves most about what he does, and he said that he most enjoys, “Working outside, meeting new people, and learning about the window business.” Wait a second. Nathan’s been washing windows since 2003—what does he mean by learning about the window business? He clarified by saying, “There are all different types of window and glass. From antique windows to restoration glass to the modern double pane windows with different coatings on them. There is always something new to learn.”

Here are a few things that Nathan told us you should keep your eye out for when you’re hiring a window washing company.

They should be fully insured with proper insurance.

The term “proper insurance” was a new one for us, so we asked him to explain. “A few years ago I learned an expensive lesson,” he said. “I had $4 million worth of liability insurance. My insurance agent assured me that I was protected. Then I found out about a policy exclusion that cost me thousands of dollars I had to pay for out of pocket.”

Naturally, we had to know what this exclusion was that had cost him so much. As it turned out, Nathan’s former policy had a workmanship exclusion. What that means is that if a window washer dropped a ladder on the homeowner’s car, then the homeowner is covered and insurance would pay out the claim. However, if that same window washer were to, say, scratch your window on accident while trying to remove paint with a razor blade…not covered. And that’s Nathan’s story about how a $.25 razor blade wound up costing him thousands of dollars.

As you can imagine, Nathan replaced that insurance company with one that covered “workmanship” mistakes. The lesson for you as a homeowner? Check for “proper” insurance. Then make sure that workmanship is covered under their policy. You don’t want to be stuck with scratched windows.

Is the company environmentally friendly?

Does the window washing company use harsh chemicals, or are they environmentally conscious? Nathan said that all you need is a dab of Dawn dish soap to “make your windows shine again.”

Are they a bonded company?

The window washers might be entering your home. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable knowing that your window washers have a clean background? A company that bonds their employees takes 100% responsibility and accountability for them. You should always demand that all employees entering your home be bonded.

Do your research.

Nathan advised that if you’re looking for a window washer, you shouldn’t take the first bid you get. “Always accept two or three bids before making a decision. Make sure that you compare apples to apples.” This is important because window washers might have a different definition of what it means to wash your windows. Some might hand wash your windows. Others might spray them down. And there are some that might pressure wash them.

So, you’re going to want to ask them a few questions:

  • What is your process for washing my windows?
  • Will you use razor blades on my windows? (As we learned from Nathan’s story, not a good idea.)
  • Will you use a pressure washer to clean the windows? (Again, not a great idea—window sills can easily be damaged by the force of the water, and pressure washing can also cause water damage. Plus, pressure washing could actually break your windows.)

Nathan’s most advised method for washing windows is good old-fashioned “nose-to-glass.”

Will they use ladders?

Many window washers do not have liability insurance coverage for using a ladder or going on a roof. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Nathan said, “That’s why when it’s impossible to wash the window by hand we use a water-fed pole with purified water to wash your windows. This is the safest way without getting on the ladder. You’ll love how your windows come out.”

Do they use subcontractors to clean windows?

If the window washing company does use subcontractors, do they and all of their people have proof of insurance coverage? Be aware that if they don’t have coverage and they hurt themselves on your property, they will most likely sue you as the homeowner to cover medical expenses. Nathan advised that you should “insist on hiring a window washing service that only uses employees and not subcontractors. Then make sure that all employees are covered by liability and workers’ comp insurance.”

Having clean windows will make your house look shiny and new. Plus, it makes it easier for the sun to shine in and brighten up your morning. We hope that you found these tips helpful in your quest to find a window washing company for your home. If you have any questions or would like a free window washing quote, you can reach Nathan at http://squeekykleenga.com.

We at Atlanta Insurance are serious about helping you protect your home, your most valuable investment, in any way we can. Contact us today if you’d like to get a free quote on your homeowner’s insurance – we’re here to help.

How to choose a company to repair your water heater

If you woke up to find a portion of your home underwater, there could very well be a problem with your water heater. Unfortunately, you might need an entirely new one. It might be hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing a reputable company to repair or replace your water heater, but we talked with Steve Cassel of JSC Enterprises to see what his advice was for choosing a water heater repair company. Steve has been involved with refrigeration from a young age, and he’s been in the refrigeration and water heater repair business for eight years now. He even teaches future technicians at a technical college, sharing his knowledge of AC and HVAC systems with them.

We started out by asking Steve about important things to look for in a water heater repair company.

He responded with these five points:

  • Appearance
  • Reputation
  • Insurance
  • Licensing
  • Experience

Why is appearance so important?

After all, you just need a new water heater, right?

Steve had a few things that really mattered to him when it came to the appearance of the employees.

  • Do the workers look like clean people?
  • Are they wearing old, dirty pants and boots?
  • Do they use profanity?
  • Do they show respect for the cleanliness of your home?

Steve explained, “All of these things reflect their personality, their work ethic, and their ability to do the work in your home. ” Steve said that he drills into his students that appearance does matter. “I tell them they need to clean up their mouth and they need to clean up their act if you’re going to make it in this business.”

But alas, this work ethic isn’t practiced by all companies.

What kind of reputation does the company have?

Take the time to do some research. Read some online reviews and see what kind of experiences other people have had with the company. This will help you gain a picture of what kind of a company it is and how they work. Then trust your gut—what do your instincts tell you about the company?

Steve often gets 5-star reviews without doing any work.

How is this possible, you may ask? It’s simple—he’s honest.

“Many times we go out to look at a job and tell people they don’t need to replace their unit or their hot water tank. In other words, we do not install a new one and we don’t make any money. Yet the person takes the time to leave us a nice review thanking us for our honesty and saving them tons of money. We believe this is the best form of advertising in the world!”

Do you get the sense that the company you’re considering is honest and trustworthy?

Is the company insured?

It’s surprising, but many homeowners don’t ask a water heater repair company if they have proof of insurance. Be sure that you will be protected from any mishaps that could happen while having your water heater repaired or replaced.

Steve recommends that your installer has at least a $1 million general liability insurance policy. He added, “There are tons of guys out there that do work on the side and do not have proper insurance.”

How do they get away with this? No one asks to see proof of insurance. Unfortunately, it’s very easy for someone to lie and say that they are insured when in fact they are not. So do yourself a favor and ask to see a copy of the insurance policy—do your due diligence.

Are they licensed?

Many people install water heaters without a license. Sure, they may work for someone with a license during the day, but what if they work on your home in the evening or on the weekends for themselves as a side job? Make sure that your installer is licensed and understands the code and requirements. Ask for proof of licensing.

There are advantages of working with a smaller water heater installation company.

Steve told us, “Many of the big companies hire kids right out of tech school without any work experience. They usually last for five months before they’re put in the truck to do service calls on your home.”

So the $99,000 question is, do you want someone practicing on your home?

When you work with a smaller company, you might get the owner him or herself at your house working on your water heater, or a member of their family. The owner will work hard to make sure that you’re 100% satisfied with their service—happy customers are their lifeblood. Fun fact—about half of Steve’s business comes from referrals from his company’s reputation.

How much experience does the company have?

Like we said, lots of bigger companies hire kids right out of tech school. This ought to concern you because there are a lot of things that could go wrong when it comes to your water heater. What are some possible disasters, you may ask? Well, there are challenges to every type of water heater, and the more experience the installer has, the better they’ll be able to help you with your specific system.

If you have an older home, your water heater might not have an expansion tank. Steve told us that adding expansion tanks to water heaters is part of code now, but your older water heater probably doesn’t have one. This is a major concern because as water heats, it expands. This expansion causes powerful water pressure, which can cause premature wear and tear to your plumbing pipes, water heater, and plumbing fixture. Remember you want the air tank to act as a shock absorber for your water heater. Otherwise excessive hydraulic pressure will result in you having to replace your hot water tank a lot sooner than the 15-year warranty that it may come with.

If you have a gas water heater, you really don’t want someone practicing on your gas lines. Leaking natural gas pipes can cause explosions, which is terrifying. You really have to have an experienced installer to fix your gas water heater because natural gas is not something to play around with.

If you have an electric water heater that needs to be replaced, there’s an important step that the installer has to take to make sure that the entire heater doesn’t burn out. The water heater has to be filled with water before ever being turned on. The heater element gets extremely hot, so without water inside the tank it would overheat and the entire heater would have to be replaced. An inexperienced installer might not know this important trick to water heaters, or they might forget to add the cold water. Don’t put yourself in that position.

You might have heard talk of tankless water heaters, which sound appealing at first. Steve said, “What people do not know is that tankless instant hot water heaters cost up to 3 times the cost of a standard water tank. On top of that, many times you have to upgrade the electrical wiring not just for the water heater but for the entire electrical service. This could cost thousands of dollars. It would take many, many years for the electricity savings of an instant hot water heater to pay for itself.”

An improper installation can also cause water leaks and damage. You don’t want to find your basement flooded, right? That would not be fun to deal with, so make sure that your installer knows what they’re doing and won’t make a mistake on your system.

We hope that this article about how to choose a contractor to install, replace, or repair your water heater was helpful. Special thanks to Steve for sharing his professionalise about water heaters with us. You can visit his company’s website here.

Need insurance? Want to get a free quote on your home insurance? Have questions about your home insurance? We can help! Fill out our quote form or give us a call today!