Should Your Hire an Unlicensed Roofing Contractor to Work on Your Orange County Rentals?
Are you thinking about hiring an unlicensed roofing contractor to work on your Orange County Rentals?
You’re not alone.
Many owners have found themselves in the same predicament because of their finances, but the reality is that hiring an unlicensed roofing contractor is a bad decision, especially for these reasons:
Reason #1 – The Unlicensed Roofing Contractor May Cut Corners
Let’s face it, if that unlicensed roofing contractor isn’t willing to get their contractor’s license, or post the bond that goes with it, you have to ask yourself what other corners they may be cutting before you let them work on your rentals in Orange County.
Thanks to OSHA, we know that the average cost of a roofers claim for work related injuries is more than $68,000. The total cost from the accident can be even more if damage is caused to the roof in conjunction with the injuries, especially since it is likely that they will not have construction defect insurance or liability insurance in place.
Reason #2 – Unlicensed Roofing Contractors Are Not “Legitimate”
Another great reason to not hire an unlicensed roofing contractor is the fact that they are not a legitimate business. This means that the owner can easily walk away from their roofing business if a job goes bad.
Just about anyone who owns Orange County Rentals will tell you that a licensed roofing contractor is in business for the long run. They have taken the appropriate steps to legitimatize their business and they won’t cut corners just to get a roofing project done cheaply. Working with a licensed roofing contractor gives you an advantage as a property owner because you also have the ability to report them to the governing agencies or take steps to go after their contractor’s surety bond if they do poor work for you.
Reason #3 – An Unlicensed Roofing Contractor May Be Able to Walk Away Without Honoring Their Warranties
As an owner, you are going to want warranties for the appliances that you purchase and warranties for work done on your Orange County Rentals. Sadly, if you hire an unlicensed roofing contractor they can easily walk away without honoring their promised warranties on defects. Ultimately, you may end up having to hire a licensed roofing contractor to correct the unlicensed contractor’s work if it wasn’t done properly.
Get Property Management for Your Orange County Rentals
For professional Orange County property management services, contact Utopia Property Management today by calling us at (858) 598-1111 or connect with us online.
Good stuff. All true. BUT, what is also true is that a licensed contractor can walk away as well. It happens every day. Having a bond or liability insurance doesn’t ensure the contractor answers the phone when your roof leaks. Your life is miserable because you failed to do the work of preparing. As a General Contractor limited to roofing and roof related construction since 1997, I recommend the building owner actually meet several licensed contractors, and check their references. If you don’t get along, or just don’t like them, do both of you a favor, and move on to the next contractor. Estimates are free, and it’s not personal. It’s simply good business.