Frequently asked questions about hantverk & reparationer

Rates vary by trade and metro area. Carpenters run $60–$110/hr, painters $40–$80/hr, electricians $75–$130/hr and plumbers $80–$150/hr. Coastal metros sit at the top of each range and rural counties well below it. Rates are quoted before sales tax, and smaller jobs usually carry a trip charge or a one-hour minimum.

Licensing is handled at state and sometimes county level, so start at your state contractor licensing board: search the license number, confirm it is active and in the right classification, and read any disciplinary history. Many states also require a surety bond, which is what you claim against if the work is abandoned. Electricians and plumbers hold separate trade licenses in most states.

A written scope and quote, the license number, a certificate of general liability insurance sent directly by the insurer, workers' compensation if they bring a crew, two recent references you actually call, and a payment schedule tied to milestones. A deposit above 10–20% of the contract value is a warning sign, and several states cap it by law.

The contractor should, and be wary of anyone who asks you to pull it as the homeowner, since that shifts liability onto you. Most structural, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a permit from the local building department plus an inspection before it is closed out. Unpermitted work surfaces in the title search when you sell and can void an insurance claim.

Most states imply a warranty of workmanship, and many contractors offer one to two years on labor with longer manufacturer warranties on materials. Get the term, what it covers and who honors it in writing, and keep the manufacturer paperwork for roofing, windows and HVAC — those warranties are usually void if the equipment was installed by an unlicensed installer.

You can withhold a reasonable amount matching the defect while you resolve it, but don't stop paying entirely without notice. Put the complaint in writing and give the contractor a chance to fix it. If that fails, your options are the state licensing board complaint process, a claim against the contractor's surety bond, and small claims court. Watch for mechanic's lien deadlines in your state.

A standard bathroom takes three to six weeks from demolition to final inspection. Moving drains, relocating walls or large tiled areas can push it to ten or twelve weeks. Long lead times on fixtures are the most common cause of delay, so order early and ask for a written schedule.

A fixed price is predictable but carries a risk premium. Time and materials bills actual hours and receipts, which is cheaper when the job goes smoothly and more expensive when it doesn't. If you go hourly, agree a not-to-exceed cap and require written approval for any change order.

Yes. You lose your warranty, your consumer protections and any claim on the contractor's insurance or bond. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, your homeowners policy may refuse the claim and leave you personally exposed. You also can't prove the work was done to code when you sell.

Use a platform like Marketit where firms are manually vetted as registered businesses, then verify the license and insurance yourself, read reviews, ask for two recent reference jobs and require a written quote before anyone starts.