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Monday Morning Advice - Use Licensed Contractors!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

Friday Morning – New roof work begins. 

The company we went with was higher priced than a couple others – but they were licensed.

Saturday afternoon – roofers almost done.

Roof was looking good.  But roofers had to stop- one of their workers fell.  No problem – people come first. He’s covered under their insurance.  And so are we.  If they were unlicensed – my home insurance would be paying the bills.

Sunday morning.

Roofers are working again and after about an hour, I start to smell smoke. Yep – the porch attached to the roof catches on fire from the hot tar.  We got it out – no damage to the house – but the AC unit was damaged, the porch and the storage room attached to it as well.  But everyone was OK and we are still blessed and able to laugh at what could have been a real disaster – especially if the company wasn’t licensed.

Monday morning.

Roofers are back.  Porch being torn down and rebuilt.  AC unit company on their way to repair or replace the AC unit.  Storage room – I didn’t really want it anyway so let’s call it good that it’s not there anymore!  And it’s all being paid for and handled by the company – who is licensed and bonded.  Had we used an unlicensed company – well that odds are – our Monday morning would have had a totally different outcome.

Monday morning advice - things like this don't always happen.  But things do happen. So if you hire someone to do something for you – go with licensed people: realtors, home inspectors, repair people, etc., - they make problems better all the way around.

Posted by

Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.KGCPropertiesLLC.com .

                                                 

 

This blog is written with my opinions and my opinions are  presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Please talk to a professional before making any real estate, financial or agency decisions.    Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind - 2014. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission: KGCProperties@gmail.com .

 

Comments(23)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Gab....I hope that wasn't your own home..... that's alot to deal with....

Apr 23, 2012 03:14 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Gabby,  Yikes, that's enough excitement for one weekend.  Life happens !

Apr 23, 2012 03:19 AM
Ute Ferdig
Ferdig Real Estate Solutions - Auburn, CA
Because Getting It Right Matters!

Yes, that could have been  a real problem and I am sure the damage was way more than what you could have "saved" by going with the less expensive unlicensed roofer. 

Apr 23, 2012 03:19 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Good points. Here in Manhattan New York, all contractors are required to be licensed and fully bond and insured to ensure all work is done properly.

Apr 23, 2012 03:22 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Hiring licensed professionals allows the consumer to have recourse if needed

Apr 23, 2012 03:43 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

OR make sure it's someone you know and trust. I'm in a really small town. The man who did our roof and deck is unlicensed, but I absolutely trust him.

Apr 23, 2012 03:46 AM
David Niles
Niles Real Estate Investments www.NilesREI.com - Hamburg, NY

Glad to hear all ended up well for you but while your contractor may have been licensed, he surely doesnt sound all that competent.  Being in and around construction for over 20 years, have never seen as many issues as you discussed arise like that.  

I would be more worried about insured then licensed as not all states require licensing and leave it to local municipalities to regulate, who then simply charge fees for licenses to work in their town, last I checked paying money doesnt make you a professional. 

Apr 23, 2012 04:13 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Gabs, If I contract to have some work done, it will be with a licensed and bonded contractor. The horror stories get much worse than you portrayed in this post... 

Apr 23, 2012 04:53 AM
Gary Burleson
Beach Water Realty - www.beachwaterrealty.com - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Homes, Condos, Foreclosures, Investment Propery
You made the right choice. Going with the lowest cost isn't always the "lowest cost".
Apr 23, 2012 05:06 AM
John Dunham
Juice RE Group at Compass - Austin, TX
N Central Austin

Great reminder you get what you pay for.  The rest of the week should be a cake walk!

Apr 23, 2012 05:29 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Gabrielle, you're still mighty chipper after all of that calamity.  I'm with you on licensed contractors.  I am a contractor who is licensed and insured, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I've only filed one claim on minor motor error since 1974, but I was glad I had it at the time.  

Apr 23, 2012 05:37 AM
Athina Boukas
Virginia Capital Realty - Richmond, VA
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Great story and a good reminder.  Also make sure to actually see the contractor's insurance policy and check that it is legit...sometimes they do let it lapse.

Apr 23, 2012 05:56 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Even though the company was licensed and insured, what a head ache to deal with on your Monday morning.

Apr 23, 2012 06:02 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You touched on a couple of the benefits!  In addition to be licensed and insured, it sounds like there are professionals!  That is just as important.

Apr 23, 2012 07:01 AM
Peggy Chirico
Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT
REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Excellent advice, Gabrielle! Too often people decide on price when they should be going with the professionals who care enough to be licensed and insured.

Apr 23, 2012 07:30 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Gabrielle -- Excellent reminder to drive home the importance of using only licensed and bonded home maintenance contractors. You just never know what can happen.  That was some story!

Apr 23, 2012 10:30 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

What an ordeal..  something every day.. So glad that you still have a positive attitude. 

Apr 23, 2012 11:42 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

It may not happen often, but it only has to happen once. I completely agree that you go with the licensed company to ensure you dont have any headaches at the end of the day.

Apr 23, 2012 12:20 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®
Yikes! I hope the roofer is okay and I'm glad they have taken care of everything. Things happen, it how we react that matters.
Apr 23, 2012 11:58 PM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

That is an excellent cautionary tale.  And, also advice that I hand out regularly.

Apr 24, 2012 12:31 AM