Selecting A Repair Contractor

This defines what the contractor is doing for you. Make sure it covers all the things you want completed.

It should spell out any preparation work, protection of surrounding areas, clean up, etc.

Reviewing the scope of work between contractors is an essential element of evaluating their bid estimate.

Here are some things to watch for in the scope of different contractors:

Painter:
-   Describe how they are preparing the surface. This step makes or breaks a paint job.
-   Define if they are hand scraping all loose paint (best), power washing the exterior (be careful as this can damage surrounding areas and you must wait for the wall to fully dry before proceeding with work), priming(best),sport priming(OK).
-   Define the coast of paint, brand, etc. Make sure they protect surrounding areas and clean up any debris.

Landscaper:
-   When planting trees or shrubs, it is essential that your shrubs and the root balls of your trees be planted below the ground.
-   Do not accept the approach of making a shallow hole, then placing the plant in it and surrounding the root ball with a mound of dirt and mulch.
-   Make sure the landscaper removes the wire around the root ball or unties the twine and places the root ball fully in the ground until only about 6" extends above ground. Make sure they guarantee the installation and life of the plant for a specified period of time. Understand your responsibilities for watering.

Roofer:
-   If you have a leak in your roof, you need ask how they will protect from damaging the tiles while searching out the leak. This is especially true if you have a clay tile roof.
-   They need to figure out a way to displace the weight. If they do not do this they will end up cracking more tiles in the process.

Plumber:
-   If possible, try to negotiate a fixed price for their work. Cleaning out a clogged drain is often priced on a "per foot" basis of the "cleanout snake" used, but some plumbers give a fixed price for this work.

Sometimes a contractor must make allowances or assumptions in their bid, such as material quantity, access to your home, etc.

Also, they will sometimes specify what they exclude in the bid. Carefully review assumptions and exclusions with the contractor.

Question them as to the reasonableness of exclusions.

Do it in a nice way, but do it. If not, these items will likely become a Change Order later. When you are evaluating and comparing bids between contractors, assumptions and exclusions highlight where you have an apple and an orange.

Here I’m just concerned with the contractor’s willingness to put in writing any of the verbal representations he or she has made to you to get the job.

If they have made oral commitments but won’t put them in writing, that’s a REJECT.

Look for a contract price that is well broken down, clear and easily understood.

If it is unclear then they have not taken the time to understand your requirements, the scope of work, or the job.

I would not necessarily make the selection only on price.

It is extremely important that the contractor NOT offer you a discount or cash incentives for immediately signing the contract.

Try to be invoiced by email after the work is completed, but expect most to want payment right after work is done.

If materials were needed before work can start (e.g., roofer or painter), and they want an initial payment for materials, try to minimize this amount as much as you can.

I don’t recommend you ever pay more than 33% up front and ONLY agree to that with a very reputable company.

I hope this overview provided useful information on successfully hiring, managing and working with contractors. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from one of these pros when needed. That’s their job 7 days a week. Here in Phuket it’s very important to know the exact steps for each repair project, then watch and monitor that those steps are being taken