Hiring a non-licensed contractor might seem like an easy way to save some money on your home improvement project. However, you might change your mind once you learn the risks of hiring non-licensed contractors. Why is it essential to hire a licensed contractor?
Why You Shouldn’t Hire a Non-Licensed Contractor
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That advice applies to many situations in life, including window installation. For example, if you’re looking for someone to install windows on your home or business, a contractor without a license might be able to offer you some tempting savings in return for your business. Knowing the risks of hiring non-licensed contractors is an easy way to avoid that temptation and get the work done right.
A License Isn’t the Only Corner They’ll Cut
Yes, you might save a little money upfront if you use a contractor who isn’t licensed. However, you should be aware that one of the ways that non-licensed contractors keep their costs down is by avoiding necessary business expenses that protect their customers. Unlicensed contractors don’t have liability insurance or workman’s compensation for their crew. If something goes wrong, the liability will be your problem, not theirs. Can you afford the risk?
If the Job Isn’t Done Right, You’re Out of Luck
Aside from the lack of liability insurance, it’s also important to know that unlicensed contractors are not bonded. A bond is a legally enforceable contract that a licensed contractor must agree to to operate. The bond details requirements for their work, including the responsibility to ensure that the work you paid for is done correctly. Without a bond, nothing will stop an unscrupulous contractor from messing up the job and leaving you to deal with their unsatisfactory work.
But Everything Might Work Out — For Now
Of course, your non-licensed contractor might get the job done correctly the first time. However, even if all of the work you paid for is done perfectly, there are ways that working with a non-licensed contractor can still backfire:
- Because non-licensed contractors are not bonded or covered by liability insurance, working with them can inadvertently invalidate various warranties. Even if the warranty isn’t an issue, you still can’t be confident in the quality of the work, which can affect the overall lifespan and effectiveness of materials like windows.
- Building repairs and renovations typically require permits, which non-licensed contractors cannot secure. Work done without permits can lead to legal and financial issues for building owners. It can even damage the overall value of your property.
- You aren’t the only one who can be hurt by using a non-licensed contractor. For example, if the work they do incorrectly results in someone else being injured, you’ll be held liable for it. The work might hold up for months or even years, but it could still cost you plenty if and when it fails.
So what’s the takeaway? While you might be able to stretch a budget with a non-licensed contractor, you’re still gambling with your money. If you lose, you can be out of thousands of dollars, not to mention all the time and effort you’ll have to spend cleaning up the mess. Make your life easier, and work with a licensed contractor every time.
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