Why Choose Us?             Our qualified staff will ensure we deliver exceptional value with friendly service! The following guidelines will assist you in finding the right contractor. How to Hire a Contractor Know what you want! Before you invite a contractor to your house to supply you with a quote, make a detailed list of the items that you want to have the contractor price out. Dividing the list up by rooms can be very helpful. This list will help you understand what you want. If you are looking to receive more than one quotation for a given project, you need to ensure that all quotations are being delivered on the same products.  The lowest price is not always the best price. Sometimes the lowest price is indicative of an error the contractor has made or inexperience with this type of work to properly estimate it. If the contractor finds out they are going to lose money on the work, they may look for ways to cut costs, add unjustified extras to the bill or even abandon the job unfinished. It is best to compare estimates not only against price but also against reputation and the following criteria: Insurance Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of insurance, it is your right as a home owner to demand that your contractor carry valid insurance which covers you in case of any accidents on the job site (i.e. Plumbing failure and flooding your home). Some contractors may refuse to do work on your property if you demand insurance but do you want someone like that working on your property? Guarantees Be sure to find out what guarantees a contractor offers on workmanship and / or products.  A contractor using quality products may cost a little more but, as they say...you get what you pay for! Safety First For any and all work to be undertaken, it must be completed using the highest safety standards. It important to ensure that the contractor you choose meets industry standards with respect to having current WSIB coverage.  A contractor offering a lower rate may in fact not have correct or current workplace safety insurance in place.  Remember: If someone working on your property is injured, if current WSIB is not in place, the individual can hold you responsible. It is important to choose a contractor with up-to-date safety training in place as well as current first aid training.  Proper safety training not only reduces the likelihood of contractor injury, which could delay or stop your work from being completed but it also minimizes the risk of property damage. Be sure to let your contractor know up front if you have any special safety needs (i.e. children or pets on the property). References If your contractor is reputable, they will have a list of references detailing at least 10 different clients with up-to-date contact information including: name, address, phone number(s), and details on the work completed. Don’t be afraid to call one of the references and ask if they had an overall good experience and if they would use the contractor again. Reputable contractors are happy to provide references. Contracts Before you agree to have the contractor do work on your property, it is the contractor’s responsibility to provide a contract containing all their contact information and detailing the work which will be completed on your property, along with a payment schedule. It should also be stated in the contract that you will not pay any costs above the quote unless agreed to in writing. Down Payments Down payments are required on routine home improvements and repairs. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the deposit value in relation to the overall cost of the job. Payment schedules can be negotiated.  As a homeowner you want to receive products or have certain stages completed prior to providing additional funds. Terms It isn’t a bad idea to put some terms on your contract, i.e. contractor agrees to clean up at the end of each work day, no smoking inside garage etc.  Never give the balance of the quote due before the contractor has finished all of their work. Make sure you never pay in cash without getting a receipt. Always pay by cheque, certified cheque or credit card. It is important to keep a paper trail in case you ever have to go to court. It is always important to get a receipt for every payment you pay the contractor, signed and dated by the contractor. Final Words of Caution Most importantly—BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SIGN. A good contract should be complete and detailed. There should be no fine print. And remember—always trust your first instincts as they are usually correct. At John McLellan Contracting, we pride ourselves in adhering to these guidelines.  Our professionalism is second-to-none, ensuring your job is completed to the highest standards in a timely manner. Give us a call!