Hiring Reputable Contractors A Key Lesson Of Recent Celebrity Abduction Attempt

Top 10 Tips for Staying Safe When Hiring Handymen

(Monday, March 21, 2005) - The discovery this week of an abduction plot against the family of TV talk-show host David Letterman by a painter hired to work on Letterman's Montana ranch illustrates an important point every homeowner should know. Hiring reputable contractors for home improvement work is not just about quality, it's also a safety issue, according to Handyman Connection, a national home improvement and remodeling contractor network.

"Aside from family and friends, the people invited into our homes most often are the people we hire to do home repair and remodeling projects," says Keith Hahn, Handyman Connection's chief operating officer. "As this recent case highlights, it is imperative that homeowners take measures to ensure they only invite reputable, respected contractors into their homes."

What can homeowners do to ensure the safety of their families and property? According to Hahn, hiring a larger, more established firm is usually a safer bet. Regardless of who a homeowner hires, asking lots of questions up front is also a good safeguard. Beyond those two recommendations, Hahn offers some simple guidelines to homeowners hiring outside vendors to perform work within the house.


Insist that contractors provide written estimates on company letterhead.
Ask contractors to provide written guarantees.
Find someone else if a contractor insists on cash payment.
Are the contractor's licenses and registrations valid?
Did the contractor offer you a legitimate business card?
Ask for proof of third-party property and injury insurance.
Are the contractor and any related trades persons bonded?
Check to see if the contractor is registered with the Better Business Bureau.
Ask for proof of membership in local Home Builders Associations or Chambers of Commerce.
How long has the contractor been in business and can he/she provide references from previous customers?
While Hahn points out that taking these steps still might not completely protect your family from harm, he stresses that prevention is the best policy and encourages homeowners to heed his advice any time an outside contractor is hired for work on or around the home.

"Asking a contractor the right types of questions will immediately let you know if that contractor is on the level, and a reputable trades person will never resent you for asking," says Hahn. "It may end up costing you more than hiring someone off the street for a few simple repairs, but in the long run, homeowners will more than make up for the minimal cost in terms of safety and peace-of-mind, not to mention the quality of the work performed."

About Handyman Connection
Handyman Connection provides worry-free home repair and remodeling services throughout 80 markets across North America. Founded in 1990, Handyman Connection is the largest organization of its kind and works with more than 4,000 experienced Craftsmen who specialize in small- to medium-sized home repair. Each craftsman has a minimum ten years of experience in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, painting and electrical work. Handyman Connection proudly partners with Habitat for Humanity International to provide training to volunteers at Women Build sites across the United States and Canada. More information can be accessed at www.handymanconnection.com or by calling 513-771-3003.

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