Replacement Window Contractors Exposed — Why it’s Important to Hire Licensed and Insured Companies

Hiring The Wrong Window Contractor Can Lead To Thousands Of Dollars Cleaning Up Their Mess.

BY JOHN KOLBASKA, OWNER

Hurricane Sandy swept through Staten Island and New Jersey — and out came mysterious contractors of all sorts, offering a helping hand. But many left behind shoddy craftsmanship or none at all because they took off after receiving payment before laying a finger on the property.

Talk about kicking people when they’re down.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a natural disaster to come across shady companies — whether it’s for replacement windows, doors or other remodeling projects. We’re surrounded by them, and it’s up to you to do your homework to find out if they’re not only legitimate, but if they’ll do the job right without ripping you off or forcing you into court should something go wrong on the job site, aka your home.

Check Your Contractor’s License.

A reputable contractor will give you their license number. They must be registered under the state where the work is being performed. If you live on Staten Island, but happen to hire a New Jersey company, they most possess a valid NYC Home Improvement License. Their New Jersey License doesn’t permit them to work here.

Being licensed offers assurance that the principal owner has been checked for criminal history and meets industry standards, which includes taking a written examination. The state licensing division will help mediate any issues that can arise during your project, but only if you’ve hired a licensed contractor.

We at The Men With Tools are licensed with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and state of New Jersey and are backed by high customer ratings. We also have a reference list easily available. We encourage all of our potential customers to call them at any time.

References Are Important. Check Them And Ask The Following Questions.

• What was your overall satisfaction with the job
• Do you feel like you got EXACTLY what you wanted?
• Were there any problems, and if so, how were they handled?
• If you had to do it over, would you hire them again?

Having The Proper Insurances Protect YOU.

Accidents happen. That’s why there’s insurance. Your contractor is responsible for purchasing general liability insurance for the company and workers compensation insurance for their workers. Say while installing your new replacement windows, the technician damages your wall or furniture inside your home. General liability insurance will cover this, so you don’t have to worry. If they don’t have a policy, you’ll find yourself having to pay to fix their gaffe, which isn’t fair at all.

Should an employee injure themselves on your property without workers compensation, there is a good chance you will be sued and worst of all, they will be going after your house and other valuable assets.

We carry a $1-$2 million general liability policy and $1 million in workers’ compensation. We also carry a $1 million commercial auto policy. It’s better safe than to be sorry.

Know Who’s Working In Your Home

It’s no secret that the construction industry has individuals with criminal records and drug problems. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find good help these days. That’s why our technicians go through extensive background checks. We don’t hire people off the street and pay them under the table, and that’s what you may find with these unlicensed and uninsured contractors.

We understand that having strangers in your home isn’t a comfortable feeling, especially if you have young children. Your home is your castle. That’s why we take the necessary steps and precautions knowing the technicians we hire won’t only do the job right, but are quality citizens who you can trust.

Are you in the market for replacement windows or doors? Check out The Men With Tools who will give you excellent service and an honest upfront price. Call us today at 201-584-6728 for a free estimate