How to ... find a good builder/contractor

Do your footwork before major projects

LAUREN KRAMER

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The best way to find reputable builders or contractors is to call stores and design centers that work regularly with them and ask for recommendations, says Cecil Jevons, kitchen designer at 23rd Street Interiors in Bellingham.

Jevons also suggests calling the Builders Institute Association of Whatcom County (671-4247; www.biawc.com). The builder advocacy group offers a referral list for people looking to do remodels or construction on their home.

Ask for References: There is nothing wrong with checking a contractor's background, says Jevons. "At our store people call us all the time requesting references. It's a good idea to speak to people who have used your builder or contractor before you sign a contract for new work."

'It's a relationship that needs a good foundation'

Finding a builder who is licensed, bonded and insured is crucial, says Tally Rabatin, 23, a Bellingham resident for two years. "If they don't have these certifications, stay away from them because if anything happens during or after the project is completed as a result of their error, the homeowner will feel that financial burden.

"It's the job of the contractor to make sure his work is good, and being licensed, bonded and insured is the safety net."

Rabatin suggests using the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County as a resource for referrals, and interviewing contractors to ensure you feel comfortable with them. "Deciding to do a home build (creates) an intimate relationship because your home is where your family is. This is not an in-and-out kind of job. It can last months depending on the job, so it's a relationship that needs a good foundation."

-LAUREN KRAMER

Handle Paperwork: Insist on a contract, cautions Jevons. If your contractor has no contract, insist that one be drawn up, preferably by a lawyer. "We sign a contract for every single job that comes through our store, no matter how small," he says.

Big Company Vs. The Small Guy: There are advantages and disadvantages to using a large contracting company or a small shop, Jevons says.

"The trouble with a guy working out of his home - and this is not always true - is that his experience may not be broad, and experience is the essential element in this process," says Jevons. "You don't have to have a store front, but experience is important.

"The trouble you get into with a big contractor is they have a package method by which they do things and that method might not work out well for you. But a lot of times people find that it's easier to get hold of a company than it is to reach a one-man-company working out of his truck."

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POSTED: Sunday, Jul. 13, 2008

How to ... find a good builder/contractor

Do your footwork before major projects

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