When you need something fixed around your house, finding a home services company that will be able to fit your needs seems impossible. It seems like the industry is full of unregulated cowboys – and that’s because it is. But if you know what to look for, there are a number of great companies in San Luis Obispo County to help you get the job done.

Arming yourself with adequate research and understanding the best way to find information to protect you from liability, shoddy craftsmanship, and a headache. Nothing’s worse than getting started with a shoddy contractor that you thought you could trust, just for it to end in a lawsuit and a half finished deck. For those of you who haven’t experienced a similar situation, this guide will ensure that you never have to duel it out with a cowboy from the wild west.

Have a Clear Goal and Scope of Work
Online Reviews, Friend Referrals, and Portfolios
Licenses and Insurance – Paperwork! Paperwork! Paperwork!
Conclusion

Have a Clear Goal and Scope of Work

When searching for a company to help with your home project, a great way to start is by having a clear understanding of what you want to get done. Whether that be interior painting in every room, fascia board removal and replacement, or new wood flooring. By understanding your goal it is easier to find contractors who specialize in the type of work you need done. Many contractors offer free consultations to help you narrow down your scope of work and to give you a rough estimate.

Online Reviews, Friend Referrals, and Portfolios

So you have your project goals written down and you are ready to go! Now you have to find contractors that line up with your project. The first place to go is Google Reviews and Yelp.com. Using these resources, you can type in a business name or type of business you are looking for, such as “Painting in Morro Bay.” These tools provide you with reviews written by previous customers, show the company’s rating, photos of their work, and other relevant information such as business hours and websites. This is a great starting point for finding companies to meet with. We always recommend meeting at least three different companies to meet new professionals, get different perspectives, and understand the cost for your project.

Now that you have had a few free consultations, you are trying to decipher which one is best for you. To do further research on the companies and understand how your neighbors and trusted comrades feel about them, turn to the Nextdoor App or ask around. This takes the guesswork out of reading online reviews – it’s guaranteed that these come from real people, that you know and trust, not just something posted on the internet.

Once you have narrowed down the home services company you want to work with it might be worthwhile to go the extra step and ask to see photos of their recent work. If you are spending thousands of dollars on a new deck, it might be nice to know what you can expect from this specific company.

Licenses and Insurance – Paperwork! Paperwork! Paperwork!

Lastly and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you are going to want to ask to see licenses and insurance certificates. Ensure that the company you hire is protected, so that you are protected. Remember, if you hire a company without insurance and something happens on your property, you are responsible. Ask for a copy of their insurance certificates and look up their license number on the California State License Board website. A verbal confirmation is not enough.

Conclusion

Navigating through all of these steps ensures that you will be informed, protected, and happy during the construction process. Your hard earned dollars should be spent on something that will make your home your oasis. When searching for a painter, carpenter, deck contractor, home or window wash, siding repair, or if you simply aren’t sure what all needs to be done, look no further – Rogall + Co. can take the guesswork out of selecting a home services contractor. We take care of your home as if it was our own.

As always, we advise that you do your due diligence when hiring someone to work on your home. Ensure that the people you are letting into your space are going to treat you, your family, your home, and your wallet with respect.