The Environmental Protection Agency oversees some aspects of the repair and renovation world. One of the factors that they are interested in is lead based paints. Going back to 1978 and before, many contractors, painters and even do-it-yourselfers used lead-based paints in and around their homes and businesses. Since then it has been discovered that lead based paints can be harmful to people and animals. As the paint gets old or is sanded down, the paint chips that result can be dangerous.

In order to combat this danger, the EPA has come up with a standard for contractors and handymen to follow. They have a Renovation, Repair and Painting Certification for professionals such as ourselves. This certification ensures that professionals take necessary precautions when sanding, cutting, or performing demolition work on a property that contains lead-based paint. These work standards ensure that Certified Companies properly approach the project with safety in mind. The work area must be properly contained, any dust or lead paint covered debris must be minimized and after the work is finished a proper clean up job must be performed.

Handyman Connection of Tampa Bay has taken the time to become certified. It lets all of our customers know that we are committed to quality and safety. Working around lead-based paint can be dangerous, it takes craftsmen that really know how to properly remove and dispose of the old paint to safely get the job done. This certification is just one more reason that The Handyman Connection of Tampa Bay is a go-to source for renovation or repair work n the Tampa Bay area.

Embarking on a home improvement or renovation project can be both exciting and daunting: in addition to improving the look and functionality of your home, you’re also required to trust relative strangers with your most valuable asset. That’s why it’s so important to choose a contractor carefully. Using an unlicensed contractor can have serious consequences.

Why Look for the License

Although many contractors without proper licensure may be perfectly competent and honest, using an unlicensed contractor places the homeowner at the risk of assuming undue liability. For instance, if the contractor or one of his employees is injured on a homeowner’s property, the contractor can sue the homeowner for damages.

Meanwhile, unlicensed contractors often cut corners by neglecting to pull proper permits or asking the homeowner to pull them. Either way, the homeowner assumes all responsibility for both improperly filed paperwork and any code violations. If another person’s property (say, the neighbor’s lawn) is damaged, the homeowner would also be financially responsible.

These liabilities may seem like a stretch, but they are not as rare as homeowners might think. Furthermore, unlicensed contractors often do not complete a job correctly—or at all. They may not have the necessary expertise to finish a project right, or they may even take your deposit and skip town. One common problem is that they fail to “finish the job” the way the homeowner expected. For example, after replacing pipes, they may not patch the holes in the walls.

Spotting an Unlicensed Contractor

During the contractor selection process, homeowners can look for signs that a contractor may not carry the proper credentials:

• Cheap or free marketing tactics, such as local flyers or placing business cards on community bulletin boards
• Extremely low bids, especially fixed-price estimates that don’t require the contractor to visit your home or determine the true scope of the project
• Demanding the entire price of the project in advance, which is common for people who plan to “take the money and run”
• Producing only an occupancy or out-of-state license, neither of which are valid in Florida
• Saying that they are working “under” someone else’s license, which is only applicable for legitimate employees of the same company
• Displaying only a PO Box or having a long-distance phone number, indicating a potential “fly-by-night” operation

Sticking with licensed contractors gives homeowners the most protection—and the best guarantees of craftsmanship. For your next home repair or renovation project, look for a licensed contractor who has an excellent track record within your community.

If you’ve been shopping around for home remodeling or repairs, you may have noticed that most companies advertise that they are licensed or certified. But what does that actually mean, and what benefit does it afford homeowners? The licensure and certification process ensures that contractors are authorized to perform certain tasks in your area. There are multiple levels of certification that contractors can attain:

• City and County Licensure: Depending on the area, most cities require a contractor to hold a city license. Some counties may also have the same mandate. In Florida, contractors have the option of applying for state-wide certification, which allows them to complete work anywhere within Florida. This certification is more expensive and requires more documentation, so it is less common. In the state of Florida, consumers can search for contractors and find out whether they have proper licensure through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Proper Insurance: In the unlikely event of an accident, insurance protects you from unexpected expense and headache. A contractor’s insurance covers expenses incurred due to installation error, unforeseen damage, and other complications. In some cases the contractor may also be bonded. This is more common for contractors who take large jobs that require third-party financing, such as whole-house remodels.
• Job-Specific Licensure: In Florida, companies must hold separate licenses for expertise that requires specific training. For instance, contractors must obtain licensure for electrical work and asbestos abatement. Be sure that your contractor holds all the necessary licenses if multiple projects will be completed.

Other excellent measures of a contractor’s reliability include registration with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau sets high standards for businesses and gives consumers and excellent resource for researching potential merchants and service providers.

Beyond the usual government requirements, a contractor may have earned local recognition for outstanding service or community involvement. Check out the contractor’s website to learn more. Any additional accolades indicate that a business has truly gone “above and beyond” what’s required, to deliver superlative products and service.

The certification and licensure process offers consumers basic protection against fraud and poor workmanship. The best contractors will go beyond the basics, obtaining extra credentials to earn their customers’ trust.