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Hiring a Flint Masonry Contractor
From the Egyptian pyramids to the Great Wall of China the world's most enduring architectural accomplishments have been constructed with masonry. Throughout the centuries man has chosen masonry for its impressive beauty and permanence. Masonry is built to withstand fire, floods and time itself.
Masonry is an extensive field of creative work that varies from laying a simple masonry wall to the complexity of constructing a high-rise building. Masonry includes stonework, bricklaying, block, tile, terra-cotta, and even concrete. Within this already diverse field there are areas of specialization that include new construction, repairs, historical restoration, fireplaces and gardenscaping.
While it would definitely be possible and even enjoyable for you to do some projects yourself, such as creating planters or laying stone walkways through the garden, it’s really a good idea to hire a Flint masonry contractor to handle any project that requires difficulties beyond that of a novice. Plus you need to remember that most masonry projects are labor intensive and can require some heavy lifting, so if you’re not physically up to the task, it’s best to call in a Flint masonry professional.
How to Find a Reliable Flint Masonry Contractor
Hiring a Flint masonry contractor is the same as hiring any other contractor. You just need to do some searching and a little researching to help you find the right masonry contractor for the job you have in mind. Many people tend to use the phone book when they need to find anything. This has always been the tried and true method of finding something when you need it. But don’t forget your other options.
Talk with people you know. A friend or relative may have experience with a Flint masonry company or know someone that has. Often the best way to find what you need is to simply start by telling people what you need. Use the internet. The internet can open up a world of options when you need to find a specific service and finding a local Flint masonry contractor is no exception. You’ll find individual company websites as well as listings in online contractor directories.
Once you have compiled a list of prospective Flint masonry contractors it’s a good idea to do a little research before making any calls. Once again the internet can be a valuable resource in helping you to narrow down your list of names. By typing in a specific name you can often find out if a company or individual contractor has had any complaints or other problems. This won’t guarantee that there aren’t any problems, but it’s always a good place to begin. You’ll want to follow up with a call to your local Better Business Bureau to do a more thorough check on any Flint masonry contractor you might be considering.
After getting your list down to three or four really reputable Flint masonry companies, you can begin to make some calls. Set up an appointment for each masonry contractor to do an onsite inspection and give you a bid for the job. Make sure you explain in detail exactly what you want. This is where communication can be very important. Once installed or constructed, a masonry project is not always easy to change. So make sure you get it right the first time.
Talking with the Flint Masonry Contractor
When hiring a Flint masonry contractor, make certain you ask for proof of licensing and insurance. All contractors need to carry workers comp as well as liability insurance. Just because it’s the law, don’t just assume that every contractor will carry insurance. You could find yourself liable for injuries to a worker or at the very least have no recourse for damages to your property. You can call the insurance carrier and the state’s workers’ compensation board to verify that the necessary policies are in place and up to date.
Request references from any potential Flint masonry company, and then check them. Due to the nature of masonry, problems may not show up right away so ask for references for both recent and as well as some older projects. Don’t make any decisions on which contractor to use until you call a few of the references. Of course you’ll want to know if the client is happy with the finished project but you’ll also want to know what it took to get there. Was the job completed in a timely manner? Did the contractor stay in touch during the entire process? Would they consider working with the same Flint masonry contractor again?
There are a number of things you’ll need from each Flint masonry contractor including a detailed written estimate for the project explaining the work to be preformed, the materials that will be used and an itemized list of the cost for all materials If you’re getting a number of Flint masonry contractor bids it might be a good idea for you to provide each one with a list of your specific needs. This way, when it comes time to compare the bids, you should have a much easier job of it since all the bids should then be based on your specifications.
Choosing Your Flint Masonry Contractor
Lastly, once you’ve chosen the Flint masonry company you want to work with make sure you get everything in writing. A detailed contract, signed by both parties is an absolute necessity. The contract should contain the same information that was outlined in the bid, a date for completion of the project as well as some form of guarantee should there be a problem within a specified period of time after the project is completed. There should also be a payment schedule included stating the amount of deposit and the payments to be made as the job progresses. Be cautious of any contractor that demands full payment or a huge deposit upfront.
Remember when you hire a Flint masonry contractor, that you need to find someone that is experienced, reliable, understands your vision and will complete the job in a timely fashion. So spend the time to find the Flint masonry contractor that’s right for the job.
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