Research, Research, Research – Knowing Who You Hire

If you are doing any construction or maintenance in or around your home and you want to ensure that you are getting the best services from the most highly regarded professionals, then you must research, research, research! That goes for chimney work or any other form of service.

Many people today turn to crowdsourced websites to get their initial opinions and suggestions, using utilities like Angie’s List, Yelp or other social media sites to find potential contractors. However, these sites sometimes aren’t 100 percent accurate. They may include erroneous contact information, reviews from individuals who aren’t actual clients or have individuals or businesses listed that aren’t licensed and registered.

Luckily, there are a few sources that you can use that will give you all the background you need so you can have comfort in your hiring decision and ensure that you have accurate contact information, reliable background information and up-to-date details on licensing and registration with the city. Here are a few sites to use when you are ready to research your contractor.

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs 

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs should be one of your top resources when it comes to background checks for your chimney work contractor. They also have info on 80,000 other businesses and industries. Their check licenses section is incredibly helpful in getting you all the information you need to hire with confidence.

Just type in the prospective contractor’s information and click search. There you can check if your agent is properly licensed and make sure that everything is up to par. (Spoiler alert: You’ll find Heritage Chimney Service in there with all our up-to-date information and contact details!)

Even if you don’t know the prospective employer’s actual license number, you can still search for an individual or company by using their name, business address or even the trade name, if that is all you have. Clicking search will bring up the agent’s license – if they have one – and tell you if the license is up to date.

Better Business Bureau

Another incredible resource is the Better Business Bureau, which has a whole section dedicated to companies in NYC. When you visit the site, just type in the name of the business you are researching. You can then read the BBB’s report on that business and get all the info you need in seconds.

Each report displays the company’s grade from the bureau, ranked from A+ to F, as well as the reasons behind the rating. Other specifics you can learn include the length of time the business has been operating, the complaint volume the company has received, and how many complaints have been resolved.

Check the Company Insurance Policies

When a contractor is working on any part of your home, you want to be sure that you are fully protected in case a worker damages your property or injures himself while at work.

Before hiring any contractor, be sure to do your research regarding the prospective company’s insurance policies because failing to do so could cost you dearly. If you can’t get it ahead of time, be sure that they present their full proof of insurance before you allow them to start work.

Know What Questions to Ask

As a final research protocol, ask the contractor a few questions to further solidify the arrangement. Ask if they can provide any references or if they are members of any professional associations. If so, find out which ones and look into the agencies or groups to get a clearer picture. Getting the full picture on your prospective contractor is the best way to make sure you hire the best person for the job so that you can feel confident in your decision.

At Heritage Chimney Service, we understand the requirements of doing good business and we practice these principles with every client we have the privilege of working with. We provide a full range of chimney services, from new liner installation, inspections, masonry repair and much more, and we would love to become your go-to chimney experts. Set up a consultation to learn more or to receive a quote by calling us today at 631-265-2780 or 917-748-8569.