The basics of hiring an Alaska contractor

Make sure the contractor meets Alaska state requirements:

• Verify that the company has an active contractor’s license here. Most contractors that make residential home improvements must have a general or specialty contractor’s license. Companies may not bid or work as a contractor unless they have registered as a contractor.  The contractor registration number should be on its website, advertising and bids.
• Check the status of the contractor’s business license here.
• Ask for a certificate of insurance proving a bond and insurance exists to cover damage that might happen.
• Check for worker’s compensation coverage here.
• Make sure the business physical address is listed on its website, in all advertising and that the business is actually at that address. This is required under Alaska Statute 08.18.051(b).
• Check Alaska court records by clicking this link.
• Get a written quote and ask for product literature.
• Ask how employees are trained, about safety protocol and quality control methods.

Warning signs

• References can’t be verified.
• Not all online reviews are written by customers, but by the business owner/employees, friends, relatives, or a consultant. A few red flags are multiple reviews close in date, consistent spelling or grammatical errors or criticism of competitors. Check what other businesses the reviewer has commented about and how frequently they post reviews. Do the reviews seem strangely similar?
• The contractor offers special pricing, especially if you sign up the same day.
• High-pressure sales techniques are used.
• Asks you to make payment in someone’s name instead of the business name.
• Does not provide a complete bid and/or contract.
• The offer seems too good to be true.