Verify BEFORE You Hire a Licensed Contractor in Hendersonville

Licensed Contractor in Hendersonville (managing projects of $30,000 or more) are licensed by the:  North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
3739 National Drive, Suite 225
P. O. Box 17187
Raleigh, NC 27619
919-571-4183

Entering into a construction contract is a major project for most people, whether it is building a home or replacing a commercial HVAC system, it’s not something to be taken lightly. From the perspective of the state, there is no way to ensure that every person will be satisfied every time with every job completed by every contractor in the entire state of North Carolina. As a result, it’s very important that you take action to become an informed consumer before hiring a contractor for your construction project.

People who know what they are doing seldom get burned in business transactions. They shop, they compare, they expect to get what they pay for and know that there can be an expense associated with higher quality products and service. Informed consumers are careful about “bargains,” because, as the old saying goes, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If needed, ask for advice or pay for it. It may cost you time and money in the short-term, but it will save you grief and even more money in the long-run. Always plan carefully. Do not jump into anything.

Beware of any contractor who arrives at your home and announces a “serious” problem that must be taken care of immediately. Don’t be afraid to take the time to get a second opinion. Most reliable contractors are too busy to go door to door looking for work, or to solicit business by phone (although some do distribute neighborhood flyers or promotional mailings).  Beware of special introductory offers from salesmen who want to use your home or business as a “model” in exchange for a bargain rate. Beware of fly-by-night sales pitches (“while we’re in the neighborhood” or “we have some extra materials left over from a job down the street”). You should be weary of any offer that is good only today. You should also be suspicious of any offer to make “on the spot” repairs.

All of these warnings have a common theme – you’re being pushed into them with a limited amount of time to commit. This limit is typically intentional on the part of the contractor in an effort to limit your ability to properly investigate, research, and verify all of the elements that an informed consumer would review.

Other Great Tps for Choosing an Experienced Licensed Contractor in Hendersonville

• Local building or material supply firms know the better contractors. Contractor and home-builder associations can also recommend reputable member firms.
• Obtain references from material suppliers and financial institutions, if possible, to determine whether a contractor is financially responsible.
• Be sure the contractor has a permanent business location and telephone number. Verify them. A contractor who operates a business out of the back of a pickup truck with a cellular telephone may be difficult or impossible to find to complete a job or fix something that has gone wrong after the last bill is paid.
• Make sure the contractor has liability insurance coverage and workers compensation (if required).
• Obtain at least three estimates or bids for the work you need; do not automatically accept the lowest. Remember, the cost of materials and quality will affect the bid. A low bid based on inferior materials may not be any bargain; so consider more than the price alone. Also, beware any bid substantially lower than the others.
• Whether you need a contractor for general construction, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, fire sprinkler or electrical work, make sure the contractor has the appropriate license, if required (see Introduction and Licensing). You have few recourses, legal and otherwise, if you hire an unlicensed contractor. Since few unlicensed contractors have adequate insurance, they may expose you to significant financial harm in the event of injury or property damage. Although an unlicensed contractor may give you a low bid, the risks of possible financial and legal consequences you may face probably outweigh any benefits a lower bid may seem to offer.
• Beware of a contractor who says he works under another contractor’s license. It is illegal for one contractor to use another contractor’s license, just as it is illegal for someone to use someone else’s driver’s license.

When you have narrowed your search down to two (2) or (3) possible contractors, call your local Better Business Bureau, your city or county building inspection department, the Consumer Protection Section of the Department of Justice (919-733-7741) and the appropriate licensing board (919-571-4183) to see if there have been serious complaints against any of them and to verify the validity of their licensing.

Dunlap Construction has been a licensed contractor in Hendersonville, NC for over 35 years and we’re proud of every project we take on. From our General Contractors to our smallest subs, we’re carefully vetted, licensed, bonded, and insured. In combination with our vast experiences in Municipal, Commercial, Renovation, and Restoration projects, our team is fully prepared to take on your next construction project, so contact us today to see how we can help.

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