Without a doubt, hiring a contractor is the part of home renovation that causes more fear and anxiety than any other phase. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. But doing your homework will increase your odds of getting a contractor you will be happy with, bringing about a positive experience.

You should be aware that all contractors offering to do work that totals $600.00 or more in labor and materials must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. A Residential Builders license allows a contractor to build a complete residential structure and do maintenance and alteration work on a residential structure. Contractors are also required to be registered with the Brownstown Township Building Department.

A Maintenance and Alteration license indicates that the holder has met requirements for one or more of certain trades.

When choosing a contractor, it will be helpful to ask friends and neighbors who have had satisfactory work done on their home. References are always a great tool in helping you choose a contractor.

Homeowners should get at least three (3) different estimates from different licensed contractors. These estimates should be detailed and in writing. The details should include materials to be used, cost breakdown, total cost, terms of payment, and estimated timeframe for the project. Contractors who are submitting an estimate to you should also provide their state license and documentation showing proof of insurance.


Red Flag To Watch Out For

Avoid any contractor who is putting unwanted pressure on you to sign now. They will use cost-saving tactics like large discounts for signing a contract immediately or saving money on using left-over material from a previous job. They will also try to talk the homeowner into obtaining the permit, rather than the contractor, to save money on permit fees.

All licensed contractors should be responsible for obtaining the proper permit through the Building Department.

There is no additional permit fee for a contractor. Having the contractor acquire the permit ensures they are responsible for all work being done under that permit.

Now that you have chosen a licensed contractor, it’s time to submit the proper documents to the Building Department to secure a permit. A permit application will have to be submitted with all the supporting documents showing the details of the project. Once the review of documents has taken place and the permit application has been approved, the permit will be issued and work may begin.

The project may require one or several inspections throughout the duration of the job. Always make sure that the contractor shows you a copy of the permit and displays it in a visible location.

Never pay for the entire job in advance. It is common to make a deposit, which would cover material and startup costs. There are typically scheduled payments that are based on the progression of work. Final payment should not be made until the final inspection has been approved by the inspector. These terms should have been agreed upon at the signing of the contract.

Issues may come up during your project. When resolving these conflicts, you should first try to resolve them with the contractor. If there is no resolution to the issue, you can always contact the Building Department for assistance.

If you have any questions, or need guidance or clarification, please do not hesitate to call or visit the Building Department (734) 675-0166. Additionally, there is a section of Frequently Asked Questions on the Brownstown Township website: www.brownstown-mi.org/government/township_departments/community_services where you can get more information.