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The Yellowpages are a good quick check on a company. No listing? Then no business. Also make sure to check the BBB and that they are a member of the BBB. Both of these will go a long ways to weed out the fly by night companies. Also it doesn't hurt to ask around the people you know if they have recommendations.
Just to be clear: This contractor was on Angie's list & has a fine rating on the BBB. He came highly recommended by several friends.
The problem came in when the subcontractor (who I know ans also came recommended) decided to further subcontract the work to unknown (to me) people. (also without my knowledge).
Regardless, none of these folks had licenses, the contractor's insurance does not cover the work of a subcontractor. Finally, the roofer's insurance did not cover roofing. (he was a framer; when framing work went away, he became a roofer & did not update his insurance)
SO, THE POINT IS........no matter Angie's list, the BBB, friends recommendations, or any other kind of glowing report...do you homework and VERIFY EVERYTHING! (and insist on code enforcement inspections on any job over $5K)
Mexican laborers do as they are told to do, just as American laborers do as their work orders tell them to do. The problem is with the general contractor, not the worker.
It's sort of like a deputy being sent out to deliver papers. He's not paid to think or question code (or law). He just does as he is told.
Ain't that right?
I agree. No argument there. Even though one may find potato chip bags and beer bottles in their heating/air contitioning ducts from Mexicans, they weren't told not to put them there. The general contractor that hired them should do QC checks.
Just to be clear: This contractor was on Angie's list & has a fine rating on the BBB. He came highly recommended by several friends.
The problem came in when the subcontractor (who I know ans also came recommended) decided to further subcontract the work to unknown (to me) people. (also without my knowledge).
Regardless, none of these folks had licenses, the contractor's insurance does not cover the work of a subcontractor. Finally, the roofer's insurance did not cover roofing. (he was a framer; when framing work went away, he became a roofer & did not update his insurance)
SO, THE POINT IS........no matter Angie's list, the BBB, friends recommendations, or any other kind of glowing report...do you homework and VERIFY EVERYTHING! (and insist on code enforcement inspections on any job over $5K)
Yes, excellent advice. Thousand of us went through this in Florida after hurricanes and ended up screwed.
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Even though one may find potato chip bags and beer bottles in their heating/air contitioning ducts from Mexicans, they weren't told not to put them there. The general contractor that hired them should do QC checks.
