SOS: Contractor sans Insurance
I just learned the a contractor that was going to renovate my small coop bathroom has no insurance. The proposed renovations include demolishing most of three walls, retiling; the plumber does have insurance. Contractor was recommended by someone and praised on the Park Slope Parents’ web site. Questions: is it common for such a contractor…
I just learned the a contractor that was going to renovate my small coop bathroom has no insurance. The proposed renovations include demolishing most of three walls, retiling; the plumber does have insurance.
Contractor was recommended by someone and praised on the Park Slope Parents’ web site.
Questions: is it common for such a contractor to not have insurance? Would someone insured charge significantly more? Can I take out insurance to cover the renovation work (liability to coop, and, I suppose to cover the persons contractor may hire)? FInally, can anyone recommend someone with insurance?
We are licensed and Insured. We have worked in co-op’s and condo’s in Brooklyn and Manhattan which required us to have all the proper documentation. If you like we can supply you with a FREE estimate and a list of references.
Thank You,
AllRenovation Construction LLC
718-351-4099
http://ww.allrenovation-ny.com
That’s not true about Anthony Riccio, Ysabelle. If he does encourage somebody to use a particular designer and company you don’t want to use just have some balls and say no thanks. Because he isn’t employed by them nor does he work with that guy exclusively. I was referred to Anthony Riccio by Park Slope Kitchen Gallery, totally different place. He works with a number of kitchen designers. (I didn’t pay for my design at PS Kitchen Gallery either if one wonders). Also if you read all the reviews on Apartment Therapy they aren’t people who all used the kitchen designer you mentioned. They aren’t even all kitchen jobs.
give the deposit only after you see and verify their paperwork before you consent to any job. if they want it backwards, walk away.
another possibility for contractors who don’t want insurance is because when they had insurance their clients filed complaints with the insurer for damages and they no longer can get it.
Don’t let them tell you i have a friend who will cover me. in reality the friends insurance will not cover you because the friends insurance is not your job. in other words you are not the client of the so called friend.
Now about the anthony riccio subject. his spiel (german word for play) is he wants you to go to a company called smolka and see a specific guy so you can pay for the design which everybody in a store gives free of charge. the guy is a salesman who sells hannsem cabinetry.
if you want hanssem kitchen cabinets go see manny at atlantis in queens. he is the number one dealer of the cabinets. you will get a better price and you don’t have to mention anyones name. atlantis is a showroom and they have a website with their street address and phone number.
by the way anthony ricco is a contractor employed by smolka. he does work for them all the tme.
my chatty responses i hope are helpful.
i’m baaack!
here is a reccommendation for your renovation. they are a small family business. it is a father and son. they are reliable and well priced with verifiable references. All their paperwork is in good order. easy to get along with and they will listen to what you want and work with you and your ideas.
John will come out and give you a free estimate. he is the son.
zaragoza design …347-728-7691 if you decide to call Don’t forget to say its about a job this way john will return your call.
Tell them susan suggested you call.
go to the website http://www.nyc.gov and look for department of consumer affairs……home improvement contractor. it will explain what its all about.
if that doesn’t work you can call and request an information packet to obtain a licence.
they will mail it and start reading the portions of interest to you.
Insurance is easy to get and cheap.
in order to apply for a license you need to be fingerprinted, show them your insurance first before they allow you take the exam. if you owe money for child support you will never get a lisence. a convicted felon won’t get one either.
the interesting thing about all this stuff, it does not guarantee you a good job. The whole thing with renovation is a crap shoot.
If someones place looks great, it doesn’t mean yours will.
I never said the coop didn’t have a rule about “this”; I was exploring getting the insurance myself and wondering if the absence of insurance calls into question the guy’s “excellent reputation.” In any case, I called a Utica Insurance agent who said I could not buy such insurance, so I called the contractor and told him that unless he could get a policy, no go.
Two insured guys, both mentioned on this site, are coming over today and tomorrow.
By the way Ysabelle, I never called you a hypocrite.
HI at Northline Inc we are HIC(nyc home improvement
contractor).we have workers compensation polisy and
liability insurance $2,000,000,-(it means no problem
with coop board).15 years of expirience for You means
well planned project without suprises.
references upon request
please contact John 917-747-8275
northlineinc@yahoo.com
I am surprised your coop doesn’t have a rule about this. Our condo’s management company requires certificates of insurance be faxed in before they’ll let anyone in the building, including movers.
OP, it’s not so shocking people wouldn’t know a contractor isn’t licensed and insured. Everybody always has to ask. Just like in your case, the way some contractors present themselves and how popular they are makes people assume the contractor has everything in order. There’s a contractor who has done a lot of work in our neighborhood, and he always does a prominent RE broker’s clients’ places but we found out recently via a friend who hired him and learned the hard way, that the guy isn’t even licensed and insured.
Try Anthony Riccio. He did our kitchen. He has a good, solid team that always shows up and is meticulous. There are over 30 good reviews of him on Apartment Therapy.
347.267.1681
adconstr@aol.com