Do Your Homework before Hiring

Due diligence is important when hiring a service provider including the ones suggested in the LMCN Group  and the ones listed in the LMCN Directory. Here are some suggestions to guide you through the process of checking their work history, reputation and whether they are legitimate. Ask for:

• Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA). If they don’t have that, they’re not even legally allowed to conduct business as a home improvement contractor in the state of Pennsylvania. CLICK HERE FOR CONTRACTOR SEARCH.
  
• Proof of liability insurance for themselves and any hired subcontractors. This will protect your personal assets in the event of an injury to one of the workers. They should also make you an additional Insured on their policy. Your name and address will show up on the certificate of insurance under add’l insured and you will have that document for your records. You will also be notified if the policy should lapse. Insurance companies get these requests all the time, not a big deal to add you to it. This is customary and any reputable contractor will oblige without hesitation. That way if an accident happens while they are working, you are protected.
• Proof of workman’s compensation insurance for the contractor and subcontractors at the PA Dept of Labor and Industry workers compensation search portal. CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR CURRENT WORKERS COMP INSURANCE.
• Call the Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Dept at 610-645-6200 prior to the start of any job to inquire if there are complaints on file. All contractors who are licensed and insured have a file with the township however, you must go to in person to review a file.
• Check references: Contact people who the contractor has recently completed projects with and ask to see the work they have done.
• Supervision of employees or sub contractors.  Hire a contractor who not only works hands on, but is also available to supervise employees & subcontractors as well.
• Personal safety: Your own personal safety should also be a concern when having someone do work in your home. (Read more: Personal Safety Guidelines for Selecting a Home Services Contractor)

Contractor Complaints (Lower Merion Township)

If you have a complaint about a contractor it must be put in writing. Your options are as follows:

1. Contact the State of Pennsylvania attorney general to file a complaint;

Click here to file a complaint. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General receives more than 50,000 complaints and referrals each year, which allows them to fight on your behalf. You can submit a complaint online or by printing out and sending a form into their office. The more information you provide, the better they can help you.A registry of complaints is kept on file.

2. Send a letter to lower Merion township;

Township Administration Building
75 East Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003-2323
Attn: Building and Planning Dept

All contractors who are licensed and insured have a file with Lower Merion Township and the letter will be added to the file.

You can contact the LM Township Building and Planning Dept at 610-645-6200 prior to the start of any job to inquire if there are complaints on file. However, you must go to the township in person to review a file.

3. Contact your commissioner:

If you do not know who that is. CLICK HERE to find out how to contact your commissioner.