Now that you have discovered your levels of Radon are a bit high, you are ready to hire a contractor to help install a Radon Mitigation System. Like any other contractor you have to do some research in order to find the best company for the job. You want to make sure that the job is being done for a great cost and by qualified technicians. Hiring a Radon Certified technician is no different than hiring a General Contractor for other home improvements.
The first thing you need to do is create a list of the contractors you are going to call. This will help you stay organized through the hiring process, call as many as you like but keep in mind that you don’t want high levels of Radon in your home any longer than you have to. Put together your list and start scheduling the contractors to come and provide you with an estimate.
When your Radon Contractor comes to your home ask them for some credentials and if possible some other customer recommendations. You will want to see that they have done this type of work before. Once you have their credentials, check them out. See if their license is good and they have valid insurance. You can check online or call the Better Business Bureau for information.
Once the contractor is done giving you an itemized estimate, always insist on an itemized estimate this way if you decide to hire them you can compare the estimate with the contract. If you know any other friends who have ever used Radon Contractors before or just General Contractors before, what their experience was like. Did they show up? Were they professional? Was the work completed on time?
Once you have done your background and reputation checks on your contractors compare the estimates and the work that they will do. A good contractor will basically have most of the itemized items the same. You don’t want to choose a Contractor who pads his estimate. Check all of the prices, they should all be in the same price range with each other, if a contractor has a price significantly higher than the others then you know he is not the one to hire.
Choose your contractor based on what type of work they will be doing, the time frame they can do it in and the price. Do not hand over any money until there is a signed contract. Also, make sure in your contract you get a guarantee that Radon levels will be at their lowest and also try to get a completion date. Do not pay all upfront either, it is recommended that you pay 30% of the contract upfront. Always get a receipt every time you make a payment. Remember this is your family’s health you are protecting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make suggestions, a truly professional contractor will work with you every step of the way.