Licensed and Insured
When it comes to hiring a contractor they can all look the same. You typically have a check list; what’s the cost, what type of materials are you going to use, can I have some references of people you have done work for, how long will the job take?
One thing that many home owners forget to check is if the company/contractor they are planning on hiring carries liability insurance and workmen’s comp. This can be a huge mistake on the part of the homeowner, because failure of the contractor to carry adequate insurance can mean that the person(s) who hired him is financially responsible for costs if injuries or property damage occur after the contractor is completed.
You might think that injuries are unlikely, but never know what might happen on a job site. Even something as harmless as stepping on a nail can result in a major injury to a passer by if the contractor is not careful, and without carrying adequate insurance by the contractor the homeowner will be the one bearing any medical costs and/or court settlements. In fact, any injury that happens to someone on your property as a result of renovations being done is considered your fault in the event you are sued, unless the contractor carries his own insurance.
It is not just guests or people passing by your home that you have to be concerned with, either. The contractor’s own employees can hold you accountable for injuries they sustain while working on your property, and unless the contractor has liability insurance and workmen’s comp you will have to pay the costs. If the contractor does carry liability insurance and workmen’s comp, then their policy will pay for injuries to employees as well as property damages caused by defective services.
In every case, it is important that you make sure that your contractor carries liability insurance AND workmen’s comp. Failure to ensure that they do could end up costing you a lot of money. Look below for insurance and licensing info for AGC Contracting.
Missouri Secretary of StateIllinois Secretary of StateInsurance Info:
Essex Insurance: 1,000,000/2,000,000 Commercial General Liability
Missouri Employers Mutual: 500,000 per accident / 500,000 per disease
Work Comp and General Liability are requirements in Missouri.