When You Hire a Contractor, Do You Prefer Peace of Mind or Hidden Risk?
When you hire a contractor to work inside your home, do you prefer an insured, certified company, or do you prefer a non-insured, non-certified company?
On the surface, it seems like a trick question. Obviously, everyone prefers the professional, safe option. But often, the decision gets complicated when you see the price tag. We’ve all been there: you get a quote from a professional company, and then you get a quote from a “guy with a truck” that is significantly lower.
It is tempting to save that money. However, in the flooring industry, that price difference usually exists for a reason. The cheaper quote often comes without the safety net that protects you, your family, and your home.
Here is why choosing an insured and certified contractor like Wentz Brothers Hardwood Flooring is the only real choice for your home.
1. The “Invisible” Danger: Liability
The biggest misconception homeowners have is assuming that if a worker gets hurt on their property, the worker pays for it.
If you hire an uninsured contractor: If a worker slips, falls, or gets injured while installing floors in your home, and they do not have Workers’ Compensation insurance, you could be held liable. You could find yourself paying for their medical bills and lost wages out of your own pocket. Your homeowner’s insurance might not cover it if you knowingly hired an unlicensed contractor.
If you hire an Insured Professional: A professional company carries Workers’ Comp. If an accident happens, their insurance handles it—not you. You are 100% protected from that financial risk.
2. Protecting Your Property
Flooring installation involves heavy materials, sharp tools, and sometimes complex subfloor work. Accidents happen. A heavy tool could be dropped on a granite countertop; a nail could hit a water pipe.
General Liability Insurance is what pays for repairs if a contractor damages your home.
- Uninsured Contractor: If they ruin your subfloor or damage your walls, they likely don’t have the money to fix it. You are left with the bill.
- Insured Contractor: We carry liability insurance specifically to ensure that if anything goes wrong, your home is restored at no cost to you.
3. Certification is More Than a Piece of Paper
You might ask, “Does certification really matter if they know how to swing a hammer?” In hardwood flooring, the answer is a resounding yes.
Flooring is a science as much as an art. It involves understanding moisture content, acclimation, subfloor leveling, and specific installation methods for different wood species.
- Non-Certified: Often relies on “old school” habits that may be outdated or incorrect for modern materials. This can lead to cupping, gaps, or squeaky floors six months later.
- Certified Professionals: We are trained in industry standards (such as those from the NWFA). We know how to test for moisture hidden in your subfloor and how to acclimate wood so it doesn’t warp. Certification guarantees you are getting a floor that lasts for decades, not just a floor that looks good for a week.
The Bottom Line
When you invite someone into your home—your sanctuary—you deserve to know that they are professionals who respect your property and your wallet.
The “savings” you get from an uninsured contractor are often just deferred costs. You are gambling that nothing will go wrong. At Wentz Brothers Hardwood Flooring, we don’t gamble with your home. We carry the insurance and the certifications so that you can simply enjoy your beautiful new floors with zero worry.
Ready to start your project with a team you can trust? Contact Wentz Brothers Hardwood Flooring today for a consultation.