Precautions to take while selecting a builder...
We always want you to have a good building experience whether you choose our company or not. Use our guide to help you in your important decision of who to hire.
We always want you to have a good building experience whether you choose our company or not. Use our guide to help you in your important decision of who to hire.
Students, part-timers, and friends (with good intentions):
Be sure that the person you choose is a full-time builder with loft experience (ask for pictures). Experience is everything and you have to be sure they will be there if you need them, whenever that may be.A friend may have good intentions, but that doesn't help when you're left with something that looks terrible and feels unsafe. Make sure they are licensed in for New York City. You can easily find this on the DCA Website. This protects you and your property, and assures that you're backed by the law.
Make sure any contractor you decide on offers you several items required by the state:
1.) An invoice that includes a materials list, method of payment, exact items included, delivery, and services that may cost extra.
2.) A termination and deposit agreement
3.)An official contract that includes; materials list, dates of construction, terms, limitations, cancellation terms, workman's comp. insurance, warranties, and full name/contact information.
4.) A receipt, simple!
Licensing:
Any contractors or salespersons doing business in NYC's five boroughs is required to have several licenses. All contractors working within the five boroughs must have a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license. In addition, any person soliciting sales and/or speaking with customers must have a DCA Salespersons License. This includes any work OR sales that exceed $200 in total. By choosing a Licensed HIC and Salesperson, a person can limit their risk while also being legally backed by a City agency against; theft, breach-of-contract, and many other laws too numerous to list.
Protect yourself and always ask for a license!
Here's ours...
Insurance:
Insurance for contracting companies doing work for you is NO joke. It puts you, your building, and any guarantors of yours, at risk. Please, make sure which ever company you decide on has General Liability Insurance. Be sure you see a copy, whether it be a PDF or FAX copy, insist on it! They should have at lease $1 million in coverage. Worst case scenarios are plentiful, but you can rest assured that with your contractors insurance that you will be covered no matter whatever happens.
We are fully insured by The Hartford
Rates:
Be sure to compare rates to service offered. Ask what the price includes: once I had to build a ladder for a customer who's last builder didn't include that in his price. Also, test the builder you're chatting with by asking a few specific questions. Call twice and see if their prices match...
A few hundred dollars can separate two bids that you receive. Be sure you ask about what it includes(in writing). Ask about what is included, taxes, delivery, installation, repairs, warranty, clean up, and materials. In addition, make sure you know whether the contractor will be turning your apartment into a construction zone. Too often people don"t realize that their apartment is going to be some sidewalk contractors workshop. If you have someone use your apartment as a workshop, dust, noise, scratches, dings, and broken personal items are the norm for these situations.
If they cut the wood on the sidewalk, you risk injury liability from pedestrians and workers (NY Labor Law Sect. 240), along with pissing off your landlord/building owner.
Make sure the person whom you choose has a dedicated workshop and brings all (minus a few cuts) the wood pre-cut and ready for assembly.
Other Pointers:
Be sure they offer follow-up service in case you need something adjusted, added, or fixed.
Have fun designing your loft, explore all possibilities, and draw out your ideas.
PLEASE NOTE:
STICKS FOR STONES offers all of the above services. To our knowledge, we are the only NY based loft bed company that offers such a full-service experience. We GUARANTEE we offer the best price-for-service anywhere! Compare, choose, and we're sure you will find the resounding answer.... Sticks for Stones Woodworking, Inc.
