Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Hiring a Service Contractor: What you need to know about proper licensing and insurance

If you own a home you most likely have hired a service contractor.  The same goes for HOA Communities that are governed by a Board of Directors or a Property Management Firm. Whether for repairs or regular maintenance, picking the right landscaper, power washer, plumber, electrician, handyman or pest control company is important.

So often homeowners and HOA's are tempted to want to find the cheapest price, but expect the best service.  While this combination is not impossible, it is highly unlikely.

Each state is different when it comes to proper licensing and insurance but there are some basic rules to follow to protect your investment from damage and other unforeseen expenses.

Licensing:  


While most states require a Business License, some local municipalities also have licensing requirements.  To save time, when you begin your search, check with the state (most have online access) to get a list of licensed contractors for the service you are in need of.  Check to make sure their are no additional licensing requirements specific to their trade.

One you have a list of licensed contractors its time to request some bids.  At the time of the request, ask WHAT KIND OF insurance they carry.  When asked if they HAVE insurance, most contractors will answer "YES", but do they have the right insurance?

Insurance:


Commercial Auto Insurance: Any vehicle that is used on your property to perform services needs to be covered under a commercial auto policy, no exceptions.  A vehicle under a personal policy does not have proper coverage to be engaged in business and coverage could be denied if there is an issue.  If the job requires a subcontractor, they too need to have the commercial coverage.  Many times the homeowner or HOA is not informed that subcontractors will be involved so its important to ask if the persons performing the service are indeed empoyees.

Liability Insurance:  Liability insurance is important but the wrong coverage could leave you with a false sense of security.  Liability coverage is broad so understanding what to look for is important.  General Liability Insurance excludes personal property that you have given the contractor care, custody and control over, including the item they are working on.  For example, if you hire a power washer to wash your siding and they use high pressure and damage the surface of your siding, Liability insurance will not cover the damage unless their policy has "care, custody and control".  "Voluntary property damage coverage" will cover cases where while performing a service, real property is damaged.  For instance, While power washing, water leaks into the home and damages carpet.

Workers Compensation Insurance:  Any companies with employees should have a workers compensation policy in place.  When employees are at your home, accidents can happen.  Falling off a roof or ladder can lead to serious injury or death.  While working with tools and equipment there is no end to the injuries that can happen.  In addition, something as simple as an employee slipping and falling can turn into a serious injury.  If the company has Workman's compensation insurance the employee is covered for any medical expense, accidental death/dismemberment and loss of work.  Without this coverage, and/or if the individual is not a real "employee", you are at risk to be sued.  Some smaller companies will claim they have a waiver from the state but this waiver only applies to the owners of the business.  If multiple workers are needed for the job, most likely they should have this coverage.

No matter how large or small the job, professional companies will be able to provide proof of these three important policies.  Additional coverages are needed when a service provider must enter the home.

Next time you are in need of a service contractor inquire about proper licensing and insurance.




We are a professional exterior cleaning company that services both residential and commercial clients in Maryland (Eastern shore and beaches) Delaware and Suburban Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). 


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This blog is made available by the owners of All Clean Power Washing for educational/informational purposes only, not to provide specific licensing or insurance advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice for more detailed information. Any information provided or represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner.  




All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.

The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.


Saturday, March 17, 2018

Keeping your home and roof free of mildew, mold, moss and algae is more important than you think!

While many homeowners regularly schedule exterior cleaning services as preventative maintenance, a drive around town will prove that it is not important to everyone.  Some homeowners do not have a choice as they live in communities where it is required.  But what about all the homes and roofs that go year after year with no exterior cleaning?

Believe it or not, there are many reasons to keep your home and roof clean beyond the fact that it just looks better.

Black streaks (Algae) usually begin on the Northern exposure of the roof that gets the least amount of sunlight. Homeowners insurance companies now take roof condition into consideration when insuring a home.  They will many times not renew the policy until the roof is cleaned.  In addition, home appraisers almost always lower the "condition" rating on an appraisal when there is visible organic growth on both the house surfaces and roof.  Many banks are now requiring cleanings before they will finance or re-finance a home.

Keeping the exterior surfaces of your home and roof should be a regular part of your home maintenance.  Whether its yearly or less frequent, having a professional, licensed and insured, company to rely on is a smart choice.

If you dont already have a reliable contractor to care for the exterior cleaning of your home, what are you waiting for?

All Clean Power Washing offers free estimates in all three counties in the State of Delaware and Wicomico and Worcester County, Maryland.  We would be happy to discuss your exterior cleaning needs and give you an estimate.  We have convenient programs available for neighborhood discounts and can also automatically schedule your cleanings for future years based on your needs.

ALL CLEAN POWER WASHING

Call today 877-325-3215

or fill out an online request on our website

www.allcleanpowerwashing.com




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Friday, February 19, 2016

Sussex County Professional Power Washing

The Professional Power Wash in Delaware


All Clean Power Washing offers complete Commercial and Residential
Power Washing Services to Sussex County, Delaware


www.allcleanpowerwashing.com

www.facebook.com/allcleanpowerwashing

877-325-3215

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE "NO HASSLE" ESTIMATE



Thursday, February 4, 2016

Professional Snow Removal Services in Delaware and Maryland

All Clean Power Washing offers Professional Snow Removal Services in Sussex County, Delaware and Worcester County, Maryland.

Snow Removal is serious business and can be a huge liability for the contractor and the customer, if not performed properly.  Be sure to hire a contractor that has the proper licensing, insurance and equipment.... and experience with the property type you want serviced.  It is not just driving a plow truck and "throwing salt on everything" different surfaces need different types of de-icing agents. Salting the wrong surface can permenantly cause damage.  Plow trucks can cause damage if not properly handled

All Clean Power Washing was featured in the Winter Services Issue of eClean Magazine to discuss the snow removal business.  For more details and information see the link below.

PLOWING, SALTING, SHOVELING


Call today to get your professional pricing bid for the 2016-2017 Snow Season

877-325-3215


www.allcleanpowerwashing.com



http://eclean.uberflip.com/i/631347-eclean-issue-39




Tuesday, January 5, 2016

All Clean Power Washing: Condominium and Hotel Exterior Cleaning and Mainte...

All Clean Power Washing: Condominium and Hotel Exterior Cleaning and Mainte...: Ocean City Maryland is a hot spot for vacationers coming from Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia.  Its boasts a great boardwalk, extens...

Condominium and Hotel Exterior Cleaning and Maintenance in Ocean City Maryland

Ocean City Maryland is a hot spot for vacationers coming from Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia.  Its boasts a great boardwalk, extensive beaches, water sports and boating, not to mention the nightlife and great restaurants.  Unlike many East Coast beach towns, Ocean City has lots of high rise condominiums and hotels that are oceanfront.  Whether you own a unit or just rent, everyone will agree that with all the salt and sand and high traffic it is important to have an exterior maintenance program in place.  Many of these buildings are managed by local or national property management firms and others are self run HOA'S.  

All Clean Power Washing is the premier power washing company for hotel and condominium cleaning in Ocean City.  We work with over 40 property managers and countless HOA's.  We offer yearly, quarterly, bi-yearly and monthly service contracts for exterior cleaning.  We give free estimates and are happy to meet and give a free consultation regarding the best plan for every building type.

Experience, proper licensing, equipment and insurance ensure the building owners and managers in Ocean City will not have to worry about any issues.  In addition, we are members of the PWNA and PWRA.  We are certified for our services through the PWNA.  

Our professional equipment allows us to service our customers quickly and efficiently.  We are aware of the unique needs of multi-unit buildings and know how to prevent issues that can arise due to mechanical equipment (elevators etc).

Contact us today to get a free quote and consultation on your Condo and Hotel exterior cleaning needs

www.allcleanpowerwashing.com

877-325-3215

www.facebook.com/allcleanpowerwashing






Monday, December 28, 2015

Proper exterior house washing and maintenance can help homeowners avoid HOA fines.

 It is important to know and understand the community rules when purchasing a home in an HOA regulated community.  One common rule is maintaining the exterior appearance of your property. This can include types of fencing allowed, color regulations, how high grass can grow, and standards for keeping the exterior of your home clean. Over time dirt, mold and mildew build up on siding and other exterior home surfaces.  Once they become noticable and unsightly it may become an issue.  Usually a yearly or bi-yearly (maybe more frequent) community inspection is performed and homeowners are notified in writing if they are violating any community rules.  A warning letter usually gives the homeowner a certain amount of time to correct the issue before fines are issued.  The best way to avoid getting into this situation is to have your home set up with scheduled house washing services.  If your community requires power washing check with the HOA or property manager to see if they have any approved or recommended contractors.  This simplifies the process and hopefully ensures the contractor offers a quality service at a reasonable rate.  In addition, the HOA hopefully will have confirmed that the contractor is properly licensed and insured.  Check with your neighbors and see if they would like to set up service with you, and ask the contractor if they offer any discounts for scheduling multiple houses. Once you receive an HOA warning letter it may be too late to schedule in time to avoid a fine.  Most professional power washing companies are scheduled a few weeks out and in addition would need some time to estimate and get pricing to the homeowner, or there could be an additional fee for "emergency" service.  Being prepared saves time and money. 

877-325-3215

www.allcleanpowerwashing.com

www.facebook.com/allcleanpowerwashing






 All Clean Power Washing services homeowners and HOA's in  
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

Fully licensed, Insured and Certified.  

We specialize in HOA Commnuity Cleaning Services.  

Call today or go to our website and submit a request.