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Good Vendor. Bad Vendor. Ask These 12 Questions to Find Out before Your Hire Them

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Check Background Basics Assessing a vendor's background and whether they meet your association's vendor requirements as outlined in the governing documents is the first step in a thorough evaluation. The answers to these questions should tell you if a vendor is reputable, responsible, and meets minimum qualifications for completing high-quality work in your community. 1. Are you licensed? "Many services your community needs performed require the work of vendors that know how to do the job safely and effectively. In order to verify that they have these skills, ask for a copy of their license before you go any further in the hiring process." -Jesse Dubuque, CMCA ® Associa Minnesota 2. Can I see your references? "I don't just mean three, You need to ask for different kind of referrals, not just their other customers but also from suppliers and their vendors as well. You want to know what it is like to work with them so I say visit their place of business and call them on the phone to discuss your unique needs and make sure they are a right fit." -Mike Holmes Professional Contractor and TV Personality 3. Can you produce a certificate of insurance that includes a worker's compensation policy? "The next important item to verify is insurance, specifically whether the vendor has a worker's compensation policy; this is especially important because it protects your community in case an employee of the vendor gets hurt while working in your community. Ask for a certificate and call the carrier to confirm their policies. (Your association should still carry its own worker's compensation policy in case the vendor's policy lapses.)" -Jesse Dubuque, CMCA ® Associa Minnesota 4. How long have you been in business? "I'm not saying the new guy on the block can't be good, buy the shorter the time they have been in business the harder you need to look at them. Remember, warranties are only as good as the businesses that back them!" -Mike Holmes Professional Contractor and TV Personality

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