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Work done on House: Insurance?

A

Aimster

Lifer
I want to get the interior of my house painted. I've been quoted great prices but these guys don't have any kind of insurance.

I am worried that if someone comes into my house and breaks their leg I will be sued.
What do I need to look for when I hire someone so I can covered in case they fall? Do I need any kind of special insurance?

Thanks
 
You're setting yourself up for a potential lawsuit if you hire unlicensed, uninsured contractors.

If they get hurt on your property, YOU are liable. Your homeowner's insurance may cover part of any injury claim, but it's unlikely that it'd cover enough should one get seriously hurt.

Most states offer a way to check the status of a contractor's license. Use it.
 
Aimster said:
I want to get the interior of my house painted. I've been quoted great prices but these guys don't have any kind of insurance.

I am worried that if someone comes into my house and breaks their leg I will be sued.
What do I need to look for when I hire someone so I can covered in case they fall? Do I need any kind of special insurance?

Thanks
Click to expand...

NEVER EVER HIRE ANYONE TO WORK ON YOUR PROPERTY THAT DOESN'T HAVE INSURANCE.

I can't stress that enough. This is a huge red flag. If there's an accident, you could be held liable. You likely will get sued.

Be vary, vary careful who you hire. Get a contract in writing, make sure they're licensed and bonded. Check their insurance. And NEVER pay them anything up front until the work is done. Make sure there's a paper trail for everything.
 
you might be able to find a mexican to do it cheap, who cares if they have insurance. They're just disposable labor-bots who don't have the wherewithall to sue you anyways.
 
I can understand the caution necessary when hiring a contractor,

But - *interior* of the house, not the exterior? At that point, I would compare prices of the insured contractor vs. uninsured contractor. I would, of course, also use the most important thing: references. Some people just suck at painting. If there's a huge price difference between a quality uninsured and a quality insured, I'd still go with the uninsured contractor - provided he's no working at a significant height. It's friggin painting, not reroofing.
 
DrPizza said:
I can understand the caution necessary when hiring a contractor,

But - *interior* of the house, not the exterior? At that point, I would compare prices of the insured contractor vs. uninsured contractor. I would, of course, also use the most important thing: references. Some people just suck at painting. If there's a huge price difference between a quality uninsured and a quality insured, I'd still go with the uninsured contractor - provided he's no working at a significant height. It's friggin painting, not reroofing.
Click to expand...

If the risk is worth the return then it makes sense. But you really need to understand the risk. If he splashes some paint in his eye, who pays for the trip to the ER? If he breaks something valuable in your house who replaces it? Know what you're getting into before you start.
 
DrPizza said:
I can understand the caution necessary when hiring a contractor,

But - *interior* of the house, not the exterior? At that point, I would compare prices of the insured contractor vs. uninsured contractor. I would, of course, also use the most important thing: references. Some people just suck at painting. If there's a huge price difference between a quality uninsured and a quality insured, I'd still go with the uninsured contractor - provided he's no working at a significant height. It's friggin painting, not reroofing.
Click to expand...

Yet if that unlicensed, uninsured contractor falls off of his 6' stepladder and breaks bones...YOU and your insurance are on the hook...potentially for the medical costs, loss of earnings, and even "pain & suffering."
 
BoomerD said:
Yet if that unlicensed, uninsured contractor falls off of his 6' stepladder and breaks bones...YOU and your insurance are on the hook...potentially for the medical costs, loss of earnings, and even "pain & suffering."
Click to expand...

All states don't need contractor licensing which is just another state tax. But I agree with rest.

I was a builder and all my subs had to show liability insurance and workman's comp for their workers. Copied it and went into folder, each job. And I was incorporated so limited liability.. as a home owner you';d have to be nuts to let workers in your house without those two.
 
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You can get a licensed/insured contractor and get hosed or you can set it all up inside ready to go and go to home depot and get some illegal esés and just start pointing and waving.

Or you can take this opportunity to learn and DIY.
 
JS80 said:
You can get a licensed/insured contractor and get hosed or you can set it all up inside ready to go and go to home depot and get some illegal esés and just start pointing and waving.

Or you can take this opportunity to learn and DIY.
Click to expand...

DIY or legit contractor are both smart. Anything in between is fraught with folly.
 
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