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Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast who feels they have enough skills to make it a full-time job or someone working in construction and want to start your own thing, becoming a home improvement contractor can be a great idea. You get to set your hours, work on the contracts of your choice, and provide a service that is in very high demand. However, before you start, there are some things you’ll need to know about what it truly means to be a home improvement contractor.
Let’s take a look at a few of them
You Need to Get Multiple Certifications
If you want to work as a general contractor in most states, you will be required to pass a contractor exam. The way the exam is structured will depend on the state. In states like Georgia, for instance, there will be a portion that will be on the law and business aspect of contracting and the other one will be on construction only. Other states will combine both tests.
Also, there might be other things besides your contractor license you’ll need to worry about. For instance, you may come across a home that was built back when lead paint was still widely used. In this case, you might want to look at resources like zotapro.com to see which type of qualifications you’ll need to work on those. This is because the EPA requires that any contractor or company that works on a house that was built before 1978 has to have the qualifications needed to handle lead paint.
So, before you make the jump, know what will be required from you. Make sure that you check out which agency is responsible for licensing for home improvement contractors in your area and visit their website. You should get all the information needed to get started.
It Takes a Certain Type of Personality
Not everybody is ready to become their own person. You will need a lot of courage to go out there and sell yourself not knowing where your next paycheck will come from. You also have to make sure that you have the basic leadership skills to work with a team.
Also, you have to be ready with the switch from having a set 9 to 5 job. Schedules can be hectic when you’re a home improvement contractor and you might end up working much harder than when you were an employee. You might have to work overtime to meet objectives, which can be tough. However, this can be a great option for those who have a genuine love for providing great service and are up for a challenge.
Handling the Legal Aspect
You also have to make sure that you have the legal aspect of being a home improvement contractor down. This is a business where lawsuits are frequent, so you have to make sure that you’re covered. You will need to start looking up insurance for yourself and your employees. You also need to get familiar with how bonding works. Also, staying on top of regulatory changes will be essential if you want to remain compliant.
These are all things you’ll need to understand before you start your journey to becoming a home improvement contractor. The best thing you could do is get in touch with someone who has gone down the same path and asks them about the job.
