| Year Established | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Business Categories | Additions and Remodels, Bathroom Remodeling, Carpentry, Carpet, Cleaning, Cooling, Custom Homes, Decks and Porches, Decorators and Designers, Doors, Drywall, Electrical, Fences, Flooring, Foundations, Garage Doors, Heating, HVAC, Kitchen Remodeling, Landscaping, Painting, Plumbing, Roofing, Siding, Solar Energy, Sunrooms, Swimming Pools, Tile Work, Walls, Windows in Martinez, CA |
These first two questions should only relate to services or good purchased directly from the service provider. Many products carry their own warranties, like roofing shingles or siding. It's useful to know what these warranties cover as well as how long they last. The "warranty agent" question is important, because often warranty agents work with the manufacturer to get you repairs under warranty at a much lower price.
You'll certainly want to ask them this. Steer clear of any company that is not insured in California, because that means that any incidental damage they may do on your property will be a real hassle to recover compensation for. It is never wise to work with uninsured tradesmen of any kind. Most states also require that someone have insurance in order to be issued a trade license. If they say they're licensed but not insured, they're being less than truthful.
This is very important, since an estimate is just that. Many contractors will submit a "paper estimate", meaning they've written the estimate down on paper. The bill is the true amount owed and will almost always say "Invoice" or "Bill" at the top of the page. The bill should also list the date it was issued, the due date of payment, and a list of services rendered.
Many jobs in California will require municipal permits in order to be approved by the town's inspector. It's always good to ask who will be responsible for pulling those permits, and if you'll be expected to do it. You'll almost never be told to pull your own, but knowing that Martinez Additions and Remodels permits are required makes you appear to be a well informed customer.
You'll always want to ask how long the company has been in business in Martinez. While this isn't a guarantee that the company will do good work, companies with longevity on their side must be doing something right. That being said, there are newer companies that do great work. If the company is under three years old, ask where the owner was employed before and for how long. If he/she has a long history of employment, it's reasonable to infer that he or she decided to go into business for themselves after so many years of experience.
