Questions to Ask Any Contractor

Are they licensed?
Check with your local municipality to confirm what type of contractor license they require for the type on construction you are having performed and confirm that all contractors and subs are properly licensed. This will help weed out “fly-by-night” operators.

Will they be around to Service?
Warrantees are only as good as the company who represent them. Look closely at companies offering “Lifetime” warrantees, as they are only good for the lifetime of their company.

Have they paid for materials delivered to your home?
Florida lien law allows subcontractors and suppliers to lien your home if they have not been paid for services and materials delivered on or to your property. Always ask for and receive a contractor’s affidavit stating that all suppliers and subcontractors have been paid in full prior to making your final payment.

Did they pull a permit?
Allowing work to be done without a permit deprives you of someone checking to make sure the job was completed according to proper building codes. A responsible contractor will always build their structure conforming to or exceeding building code requirements. Your municipality is there to offer the service and security to ensure this has happened.

Did your pool company ask these questions?
Almost every pool company which sells you a pool with a screen subcontracts to another company for the screen work. Some of these companies are tempted to pick a screen supplier strictly on a subcontractor’s price to them as they have already quoted you an all inclusive price. It is up to you as the buyer to ensure they have chosen an acceptable subcontractor.

Are their enclosures “properly” engineered?
All screen enclosures must abide by responsible structural engineering guidelines. It is imperative that the enclosure on your home is engineered specifically for you or according to an approved structural design manual.

Does their engineering conform to Florida Building Codes?
The Florida building codes pertaining to screen enclosures have changed several times in the past three years. Some screen companies have actively sought out engineers who have either not kept up to date with these changes, or who are not well versed in aluminum design in order to build substandard enclosures.

Are the materials they use manufactured to the proper tolerances?
Although this is nearly impossible for a homeowner to detect, some enclosure companies will use materials with wall thicknesses more thin than their engineers prescribed. An emerging development is the use of a stronger alloy of aluminum and although this will allow for superior performance of components using this alloys, irresponsible companies may use inferior grades of aluminum with engineering guidelines for a stronger alloy.

Side with a reputable contractor who understands that saving money on a single project is not worth risking their reputation on all their future projects.

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