What to ask:
Are you a licensed contractor in this state and city? Check to see if your state requires a license. Some states accept work experience, membership in professional trade organizations, and continuing education units in place of a license. If the contractor has a license, get the license number, and call the local building department to validate the number. Also, call the State Consumer Protection Agency to find out if the contractor had to prove financial stability, pass an exam, or just pay a fee for the license.
Ken's Exteriors is fully licensed by the State of Florida as a Construction Qualified Business through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation under License Number QB0013541.
Click Here for Ken's Exteriors license information. Ken's Exteriors has no complaints filed with DBPR from anyone, including residential and business customers.
Ken's Exteriors has no complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and has a Satisfactory Rating under the BBB's strict standards.
Click here for the Better Business Bureau Report on Ken's Exteriors.
Ken's Exteriors is licensed through Hillsborough County under License Number SCC056769.
Can I have three references from customers in the past 12 months? Past three years? Use references to check the contractor's current and past work history.
Ken's Exteriors would be proud to show you personal and professional
references. We are proud of our work and of our professionalism. Contact Ken
and ask.
Do you have a "before and after" picture portfolio? Most contractors have pictures
of past work.
What insurance coverage do you have?
At a minimum, contractors should have Workman's Compensation, general liability (including property and personal liability), and automobile insurance. These policies help protect you and your property from potential legal problems should an accident occur. Call the insurance agency to confirm effective dates of the insurance policies.
When a contractor starts a job, it's good practice to have a valid certificate of insurance naming you and your property as co-insured. Have the contractor contact his insurance agency and request that a copy be mailed directly to you. Do not accept a photocopy.
Ken's Exteriors is fully insured. All of our employees are covered under Workman's Compensation Insurance and our vehicles are insured as Commercial Vehicles. We would be happy to show you the policy information at any time. Additionally, our employees are not paid "under the table" and all applicable income is properly reported. We do not employ undocumented workers. As a family owned business, we know and trust every employee and will provide any information regarding their background and character upon request. This is an important issue for home owners. A properly insured contractor saves a customer from expensive lawsuits if an accident should occur during a project.
May I have an itemized estimate on the project that includes materials, labor,
overhead, and a time frame?
The estimate should be in writing in order to compare it with the estimates you receive from the other two contractors.
Ken's Exteriors will provide you with a complete estimate and we insure that all applicable permits are obtained.
