August 21, 2023 Homeworks Hawaii
If you are looking to build or renovate a home in Hawaii, but have no idea where to start, hire a licensed contractor. Why hire a licensed contractor in Hawaii? Contractors are not the same across the board. If you have found yourself weary and distrustful, we can help. Follow our guidelines and learn why hiring a licensed contractor in Hawaii is critical and how to check licenses and credentials. Start your incredible renovation or new homebuilding project with the utmost confidence.
If you still have some doubts about hiring a contractor on Oahu, be sure to check out our other blog articles that include more tips to hiring a high-quality, licensed contractor in Hawaii.
The Importance of Hiring a Licensed Contractor in Oahu
The biggest mistake that you can make at the beginning of any construction process on Oahu, is not hiring a contractor at all. A seemingly simple room remodel can cost you thousands of dollars and jeopardize your safety. Oahu, and the Hawaiian islands as a whole, offer a unique construction environment. Materials are put to the test by the climate, and nearly everything is shipped from other places. You may find yourself in real trouble if you hire an unlicensed contractor or try doing things on your own.
A licensed contractor will not only save you the stress, but they will save you money too. Established and trusted licensed Hawaii contractors offer expert execution, knowledge of the law, and understanding of the environment. If you are looking to do any large scale home project from a kitchen remodel or ADU to a complete new home construction– you will need an Oahu contractor.
Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring an Oahu Contractor
As mentioned, due to bad apples, some people are wary of hiring a contractor. Here are some of our biggest “red flags” when it comes to local contractors:
- No contract or the contract is extremely vague
If your contractor does not provide a contract, or the contract that they provided is vague, unclear or incomplete– that is a huge red flag. All parties should be clear on the scope of work, budget, and timeline for the project.
- Lack of web presence– specifically online reviews
If you find a contractor in your area but they don’t have a single source of online web presence, that is a major red flag. Many licensed and trusted contractors on Oahu will readily display their license number, portfolio of their work, as well as all references and reviews on their website.
- Suspicious money handling
If you have a contractor that wants payment strictly in cash, or is very wary about leaving any paper trail– this could be a major red flag. If your contractor demands payment in full or doesn’t provide a defined payment schedule, that is another red flag.
Ready to Hire: How to Verify a Contractor’s License in Hawaii
If you have gone through our red flags checklist, done your research, and have found someone that you can trust– the next step is verifying the contractor license in Hawaii. Make sure that they are licensed within the state of Hawaii; we have other blogs that go over the importance of having someone licensed within this state– outside of the bureaucracy– that you can read here. You can verify a contractor license easily by going to the Hawaii government’s professional and vocational license search. Search the number that they gave you and cross-reference with their dba or business’ name. Also check their website and verify that the same number is listed there. Another great way to find a reliable licensed contractor in Hawaii is to look at accredited businesses and guides with the Better Business Bureau.