Potential clients can ask contractors many questions.
When looking for a Wisconsin contractor, potential clients can have questions. The answers a contractor gives can make a real difference. By being prepared to respond to those questions in advance, a contractor can edge out the competition.
Because a contractor in Wisconsin is required to have a Dwelling Contractor license and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license, attending contractor school is a requirement to work in the state as a contractor. In addition, classes can expand your knowledge base and expertise to answer client questions comfortably and with ease.
Are You a Licensed Contractor?
In Wisconsin, contractors are required to obtain, employ, subcontract or hire someone with Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification from the Department of Safety and Professional Services in order to obtain building permits. Dwelling contractor certifications allow contractors to construct one- and two-family homes or may be restricted to one- and two-family homes with a $25,000 limit on the cost of the project. Since some clients may not understand the difference, explaining that you are qualified to do the work and showing how a potential client can check to see that your license is current can help.
How Is Your Company Organized?
While some contractors have their own employees whom they use for some construction projects, many use subcontractors who specialize in different areas of the required work. Additionally, some contractors oversee the project themselves, and some use a foreman to oversee the job. Let your potential client know who will be overseeing the job, who to contact with questions, and who to ask about progress.
Do You Carry Insurance?
In Wisconsin, contractors must carry insurance for general liability. They also can opt to take out a surety bond for $25,000 as a replacement for general liability insurance. Those with restricted licenses only have to get a bond for $5,000. In addition, workers’ compensation insurance is necessary if the contractor employs or plans to employ workers. Carrying a copy of your current insurance coverage or surety bond can assure a potential client that there will be no problems with coverage.
What Will the Scheduling Be?
From start to finish, a potential client will want to know the timeline for the project. Having beginning and ending dates scheduled for everything from basic framing and plumbing installation to pouring driveways and sidewalks lets the client know that the work will proceed in an orderly fashion and is more likely to stay on schedule, barring adverse weather events that can cause delays.
How Do I Know Your Company Has a Good Reputation?
Carrying a portfolio of completed jobs that are similar and recommendations by clients who were pleased with your work is your best advertising. In addition, you can refer clients to Yelp reviews or the Better Business Bureau to see how well your company performs.
Being prepared can help a contractor get chosen for more jobs.
How Is Scheduling Handled?
Scheduling can include communication and a timeline of the construction process. Provide the client with a start and stop date, explain that these dates are weather dependent, and show the client when materials will need to be ordered and the number of workers needed for each step in the process. By being as detailed as possible, it can cut down on questions and give the client a sense of satisfaction that the work will be completed on schedule.
Answering questions is a big part of bidding on a construction project, and being unable to give clear answers can affect the likelihood of whether you will be hired for the job. The state of Wisconsin requires 12 hours of contractor school education to be granted a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license, which is necessary to operate a contractor business. Educational courses are also beneficial because they offer a contractor the ability to keep up on changes in the law and learn new areas that may be applied to the business.
PDH Contractor Academy, in connection with Wisconsin Contractors Institute, offers contractor school courses that enable a contractor to study online or through correspondence to meet state requirements for the 12 hours for the Dwelling Contractor Initial Qualifier Course.
All our Wisconsin courses are pre-approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services,and once you have completed them successfully, we report it to Wisconsin and give you a copy of your completion certificate for your own records. Why stress over taking classes? Start a course for your Wisconsin contractor education!