There are some things you just shouldn’t cut corners on—hiring a licensed and bonded professional for home system or appliance repairs is one of them. If you’re thinking, “But I can fix that myself,” well, you may be right. But you could also be doing yourself a disservice in the long run.
“We joke in our family that my husband is a YouTube-certified professional, but when it comes to big jobs like electrical or gas lines, we hire out,” said America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) Quality Analyst Team Lead Susan Bailey. “This stuff affects the whole family, and we want to make sure it’s done right.”
Why you should want to…
Here are some highlights from RemodelWorks.com on why choosing a licensed contractor is important, regardless of the size of the project:
- Contractors who are bonded have a backup on their repairs: Meaning if the fix fails due to poor workmanship, the surety bond could cover the cost of follow-up repairs, as well as additional damages caused by the failure.
- When you pay for a licensed contractor, you’re not just paying for parts: You’re paying for the years of training and experience that go into getting (and staying) licensed, and for quality workmanship, so you know you’re getting the best service possible.
- Non-licensed contractors may lack liability insurance: This means if they get hurt on the job in your home, you can be held liable.
…and why APHW needs you to
These are good reasons why you should want a licensed and bonded contractor, but why does America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) require one for claims? Firstly, we want to make sure you’re getting the best care in the safest way possible. Secondly, “Their knowledge and expertise are how we’re able to help our customers,” Susan said. “They provide us with the information we need to make approvals.”
When your chosen licensed contractor is speaking with our customer service, here is what we ask for:
- The contractor’s name and company (so we can verify they are licensed)
- Identification of what item failed
- What caused the failure
- The make, model, and serial number of the unit
- Total cost of the repair (parts, labor, and service call)
- How they can accept payment
Depending on the type of item failure, this conversation typically lasts less than 5 minutes. And on top of that, the contractor receives fast payment in one of three ways (two of which are immediate for the contractor).
“One of my first experiences at APHW was talking with a contractor about the fact that he was self-employed and couldn’t wait six to eight months to get paid. I told him I absolutely agreed, and explained that’s why we offer payment by credit card right over the phone. That changed everything for him,” Susan said. “At the end of the day, most contractors just want to know that they’ll get paid in a timely manner, and that their customers are being taken care of.”
So next time you get an inkling to try fixing something yourself, remember: For a safe and proper fix in your home, licensed and bonded is the way to go.
Call 866.794.0875 or visit APHW.COM today to learn more about America’s Preferred Home Warranty.
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