The Ethical Contractor

What is an ethical contractor? This is a contractor who works to make your job complete, satisfying, is accountable and transparent to you in their work. Seem unlikely? Not as much as you would think. There are things to look for in a contractor and oversight throughout your project that you will have to do to make sure you have an ethical contractor.

You need to know how to identify the ethical contractor, understand contracts; their importance and controlling money payouts for work, supplies, fees and inspections. Keep records of everything, review work with your contractor. When completely satisfied, be available as a reference for the contractor. This article will explore all of these things in more detail.

Identification of a contractor may take many forms. Most often people check ads on the internet, in magazines, yellow pages, from signage or trade locations. This gives you very little information other than what they do and contact information. Referrals from neighbours, friends, family or

anyone can provide you with more information about the reputation of the contractor and their work.

Once you have located a contractor, it is entirely appropriate to ask for references from past customers. They should tell you a bit about the job they did and their satisfaction with costing, workmanship and commitment to that project. Along with references you need to also meet and interview the contractor. This will give you a feel for them and allow you an opportunity to explain your vision for the project. Ask about past work experience and projects. Ask them about the team and any sub contractors they will use.

Discuss money, contacts and warranty of the work they will do. The first step is getting a quote for this job. This will involve a site inspection and estimation of material, labour and fees from the contractor. You may get quote from different contractors and compare. Find out from the beginning who takes out any necessary permits, you or the contractor, so the fee may be factored into the cost. Find out what type of warranty the contractor will provide for the work once it is completed.

A written contact will spell out costs, quotes and warranty. It is ethical for a contractor to have you sign a written contract with them so you both have a clear understanding of the work, costs and warranty for this project. Paying some money upfront is also usual. The contractor needs to buy material, rent equipment, fees and pay workers so will need some money to start. That should be spelled out in the contract.

Controlling the monetary payouts should be the responsibility of the customer or the contractor with a clear understanding of how, where and why the money is spent. Receipts need to reflect every part of money spent and be recorded in a ledger. Keep an eye on labour cost as this is almost always the highest cost in any project. An ethical contractor will provide the hours and rate for each worker.

You need to understand supply and logistics so you understand the material costs, equipment rental and sub contractor fees. Some contractors will do this for you but it is your responsibility to review and agree with it. Many ethical contractors will agree to let you do this or ask you to do this. This allows you to search for the best prices on materials, equipment rental and sub contractors. Many contractors have a

relationship with sub contractors they have worked with so that may assist you or find your own.

It is easy for contractors to buy from one supplier and rent from one business but that may not be the best deal out there. If you act as the quartermasters stores for the project you may save money but you must be efficient. Materials, equipment and sub contractors need to be delivered and ready when the contractor is ready to use them or you are going to pay higher labour costs while they wait. Bargain hunting can save you a lot of money but you have to be on top of readiness for the contractor and ensure you are getting the contractor exactly what they ask you to get.

For all inspections by the city, electrical safety association, health unit, province, etc, you need to be present with the contractor. All questions they ask must be answered. An ethical contractor will be with you and should review what the inspection will look for. They will also give you the answers to the questions that are asked. Sometimes inspectors will find things to remedy or have not been done correctly. You need to be aware of this and have the contractor complete the work to the inspectors satisfaction.

You will need to keep records of everything. An ethical contractor will have an accounting for you that will include their costs, receipts, permit fees and miscellany. They will also keep a work log. You may also keep copies of everything along with your own work log and ledger of financial information. You should also have all permits, warranties and contracts in your records.

Once completed, an ethical contractor will review all work with you, the costing and the warranty. They will ask for your satisfaction. Give them an honest answer. If you are satisfied they have done the project as you wish it to be done, offer to let them use you as a reference in the future. This is goodwill to the contractor but it also assists people seeking good references and honest opinions.

An ethical contractor will guide you through the process of your project. They will meet with you and go over references, costing and a contract. They will be prepared to let you take care of materials, rentals and sub contractors as this will now be your responsibility. Advice from the contractor here may lead you to stores with contractor rates, the best priced rental places and sub contractors. They will account for money

spent with record keeping and a work log. Warranties, fees, contracts and permits will also be an ethical contractors responsibility. An ethical contractor will be present for all inspections, keep you informed and review all the work done with you.

There are contractors who will do the job, take your money and say, “It costs what it costs.” And “That is the price of doing business.” And “If you have to ask the cost, you probably can’t afford it.” While I looked for contractors I ran into all of these sayings. I was very unimpressed by all of them and none of them were hired to do those projects. An ethical contractor will be your guide to a completed project at budgeted or quoted cost that has you satisfied and pleased with their work. Don’t look for a contractor, look for an ethical contractor.