Make sure that your contractor is licensed with the state of California.

Important Excerpt:

Any contractor performing a job in which the total cost of the project, including labor and materials, is $500 or more, must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. Licensed contractors are subject to laws designed to protect the consumer.

Unlicensed contractors are a danger to your financial affairs because they expose you to significant financial harm in the event of injury or property damage. Few unlicensed contractors have bonding or workers’ compensation insurance.

Although an unlicensed contractor may give you a low bid, the risks of possible financial and legal consequences you may face outweigh any benefits a lower bid may seem to offer.

Please note: A license number on a bid or contract does not necessarily mean the license is valid. Before you sign anything, call the Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-CSLB, or check our web site, www.cslb.ca.gov to make sure the contractor is properly licensed in the class for the work to be performed, and that the license is in good standing. You should also ask about any prior legal actions that may have been taken against the contractor. Legal action history information is available from the CSLB Northern or Southern Regional Legal Action Disclosure telephone numbers. The Northern number is (916) 255-4041. Southern Region can be reached at (562) 466-6021.

– Contractors State License Board

At the G N G Vinyl Fencing, Inc., we hold a valid license number 884502 issued by the Contractors State License Board.

Make sure that your contractor is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Important Excerpts:

WHETHER OR NOT THE COMPANY IS A MEMBER OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU - The Bureau reports on all companies, member or not, that have been the subject of frequent inquiries or complaints. However, to become a Better Business Bureau member, a business must agree to conduct business in accordance with Better Business Bureau standards. For example it agrees to respond to any complaint a customer makes about it to the Bureau.

It also agrees to adhere to the Bureau’s advertising standards, which are based upon honesty in all advertising and selling claims.

Before a business is accepted for membership, it is screened to be sure it has met any licensing requirements, that information submitted to the Bureau is clear, that its complaint history is satisfactory, and that its advertising complies with Bureau standards.

A Roper survey shows that 83% of the public prefer to do business with a Better Business Bureau member.

Once you have all the information we can give, you will be better-equipped to make an informed buying decision.

-- Better Business Bureau

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You may also wish to check the contractor out with your local building department, trade association or union, local consumer protection agency, consumer fraud unit in your city or district attorney’s office, and the Better Business Bureau. Call these organizations to see if they have information about the contractor you are considering. Ask how long the company has been in business, and find out if there are any complaints about the firm or other relevant file information.

Don’t be fooled or pressured by a smooth-talking salesperson. Take the time and effort to make sure that the person or business doing your home improvement is going to perform in a professional manner.

A WORD OF WARNING:

Anyone who talks you into being your own general contractor or “owner/ builder” may be doing you no favor. “Owner/builder” describes a situation in which the homeowner becomes the general contractor. As an owner/builder, you (not the person you hire) assume responsibility for the overall job, which may include such things as state and federal taxes, workers’ compensation, and other legal liabilities. Unless you are very experienced in construction, it is best to leave these matters to your licensed contractor.

-- Contractors State License Board

The BBB has given the G N G Vinyl Fencing, Inc. a rating of A+. According to the BBB, the G N G Vinyl Fencing, Inc. has “An extremely high rating. This means that nothing in our files causes us to have any doubt about the company’s reliability.”

Make sure that the contractor has Workers’ Compensation And Liability Insurance Coverage.

Important Excerpts:

Make Sure The Contractor Has Workers’ Compensation And Liability Insurance Coverage. Ask the contractor if the company is insured against claims covering workers compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents.

Ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance, or ask for the name of the contractor’s insurance carrier and agency to verify that the contractor has the insurance.

In California, if a contractor has employees, workers’ compensation insurance coverage is required by law. This is important for you as a homeowner. If a worker is injured working on your property and the contractor does not have insurance, you are the one who will have to pick up the bill for medical attention and rehabilitation, if necessary. Don’t let your homeowner’s insurance policy become your contractor’s liability coverage.

– Contractors State License Board

For even more need-to-know information and must-have advice, make sure you download your FREE copy of the “15 Questions Other Vinyl Exterior Product Contractors Hope You Never Ask.” It contains important information that you need to know in order to avoid making costly mistakes. Regardless of which company you choose for your project, you’ll need to understand and use this information.