Are You Exposed?

Unfortunately, we have all heard the horror story about the homeowner who comes back home after a long day of work only to find that his toilet is leaking and his master bedroom is flooded. The homeowner recalls today is a Tuesday, the scheduled day that the cleaning service has been cleaning his home for the past 9 months, and comes to the conclusion that cleaning service is responsible for the flood. He found the service in the local newspaper at an unbeatable price, but he did not inquire about licensing or insurance. After fighting with the cleaning service for hours, the homeowner realizes the damage caused to the home is his responsibility because the service has no insurance.

A woman sees a truck with a gutter cleaning advertisement in her neighbor’s driveway and realizes her house could also use a good gutter cleaning. While the contractor is packing up his truck she inquires about an estimate. The contractor is climbing the ladder to check her gutters on her roof when all of a sudden he falls off and breaks his arm. Little did the woman know, the contractor did not have workman’s comp and she is now responsible for the cost of his treatment. She thought she was safe because of her homeowner’s insurance. This turned out to be quite an expensive estimate.

In today’s economy, many contractors are forgoing insurance due to the cost. So, you may ask, how does this affect you? If you are using contractors, like the examples above, (i.e. cleaning services, carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, handymen, etc.) that are not licensed, bonded, and insured, you are putting yourself at risk. Don’t let your home become victim to a contractor. Below are brief definitions of licensed, bonded, and insured as well a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a contractor.

Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

• Licensed – A licensed contractor is someone who holds a license issued by a party guaranteeing that the individual is a professional with certification.
• Bonded – A contractor who is bonded provides protection for a customer in the event that valuables are taken from the customer’s home.
• Insured – An insured contractor provides customers with protection in the event of an accident to and individual or to the property.

Tips When Choosing a Contractor

• Ask the contractor if he/she is licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Request to see a contractor’s certificate of liability insurance.
• Inquire about references.

Granting a contractor access to your home is a major decision and one that requires much thought. While we are all looking for a “quick fix” make sure that you are using a contractor that is licensed, bonded, and insured. I can assure you that the extra time spent doing the research will benefit you immensely and could, in the event of an accident or a catastrophe, protect your home and your assets. Choose the right contractors and you can rest assured that your home will be taken care of.

Gardens Home Management Services is the premiere home management company in the Palm Beach Gardens region of South Florida. Our company meets all of the requirements listed above through our customized approach to home management. Not only are all of our contractors licensed, bonded, and insured, but as a company, we have one of the highest limits of insurance in the homecare industry. To learn more about our services and how we can give you the peace-of-mind you deserve, request a free consultation or call 561-625-5700.