Your project, managed by an expert.

Most construction problems don't start on the job site. They start the day someone signs with the wrong contractor. Before you hire anyone, run through these five checks.

1. Look up the license yourself

Don't take a license number on faith. South Carolina's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) has a free online lookup where you can confirm a license is active and see what kind of work it covers.

2. Ask for proof of insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability, and workers' comp if they have employees. If someone gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't covered, that problem can land on you.

3. Get everything in writing

A real contract spells out the scope of work, materials, start and finish dates, the price, and how changes will be handled. A handshake and a one-line estimate is not a contract.

4. Watch the payment schedule

Be cautious of anyone who wants most of the money up front. Payments should be tied to work that's actually completed and inspected.

5. Call the references

Ask for recent jobs similar to yours, and actually call. Ask whether the job finished on time, on budget, and whether they'd hire that contractor again.

Not sure what you're looking at? That's what a consultant is for. Joe can review contractors and contracts before you sign.

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Three bids on the same project can come back thousands of dollars apart, and it's tempting to grab the lowest one. But bids are rarely priced on the same thing. Before you compare prices, compare what each one actually includes.

Line up the scope

Put the bids side by side and check that every contractor is pricing the same work. If one bid leaves out demolition, permits or cleanup, it isn't really cheaper. The cost just shows up later.

Read the exclusions

Most bids list what they don't cover. That short list is often where the biggest surprises hide.

Check the allowances

An allowance is a placeholder amount for things you haven't picked yet, like fixtures or flooring. A bid can look low simply because its allowances are unrealistically small.

Compare the schedule

Ask each contractor how long the job will take and when they can start. A great price doesn't help if your project sits for three months.

Joe reviews bids line by line so you can make an apples-to-apples decision with confidence.

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After 30 years as an electrician, Joe has seen what water and electricity can do together. When a storm or flood hits your property, these steps come first.

Stay away from downed lines

Treat every downed power line as live. Keep your distance and report it to your utility right away.

Don't walk into standing water near power

If water has reached outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don't wade in. If you can't safely reach the main breaker from a dry spot, call your utility or a licensed electrician.

Don't turn flooded equipment back on

Panels, outlets, water heaters and HVAC equipment that got wet can be dangerous even after they dry out. Have a licensed electrician inspect them before the power goes back on.

Be careful with generators

Run generators outside and away from windows and doors. Never plug one into a wall outlet to power the house. A licensed electrician can install a proper transfer switch.

Document everything

Take photos and video of the damage before you start cleanup. It will help with your insurance claim.

When it's time to rebuild, Joe can help you plan the repairs, review contractor bids and keep the work on track.

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