Evaluate the Contractor/Installer

Confidence regarding the performance of a particular product or technology is only part of the equation. If a great product is installed poorly or improperly, you will end up with a poor result that does not meet your expectations. Your contractor(s) needs to be qualified and skilled in the product or technology area for which he is performing work. You can gain confidence in several ways.

References. Local references are probably one of the best ways to verify a contractor’s experience and his ability to complete work on time and within budget. Be sure to check with multiple sources and make sure the scope and type of work were similar to those he will be performing for you. Although he may give you only the names of satisfied customers, it is usually fairly evident if they have reservations.

Licenses. Requirements for general and trade contractors’ licenses vary by state and by jurisdiction and by the particular trade. Although some states require builders and general contractors to hold a license, in other cases, particular municipalities require a license. Trade contractor licensing is most often found for the electrical or plumbing trades. The National Association of States Licensing Agencies tracks contractor-licensing requirements and has an interactive map in which you can search requirements by state. The National Association of Home Builders maintains similar information about all licensing required in a given state.

Keep in mind that licensing requirements may simply be a registration requirement to track building professionals within the state. Or, it may carry education requirements and, thus, mean that the builder or contractor has completed a certain amount of training—sometimes more business oriented than skill oriented. Regardless, it is important to find out if a license is required and, if it is, what the license means in terms of qualifications and also to find out if the contractor or builder you are considering is in good standing in the eyes of the state board.

Association Membership. Although not a guarantee of quality workmanship, membership in a professional association, such as the National Association of Home Builders or one of the remodeling councils, is an indication of commitment to the building profession. Check your local chapter of these associations to find out who are members in your area. These associations usually offer training, education, and certifications in the following subjects:

• Certified Graduate Builder.
• Certified Graduate Remodeler.
• Certified Green Professional.
• Graduate Master Builder.

Other Certifications

Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater. A HERS rater is typically associated with the ENERGY STAR Homes Program as one who inspects and tests the energy-efficiency features of your building to verify compliance with program standards. The rater will model the building using approved software to determine the HERS score, verify that the specified equipment and materials were installed properly, and complete the necessary paperwork for your project to be formally recognized at the state or national level. To become a HERS rater, one must complete training under a HERS provider approved by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and must complete multiple supervised onsite ratings.

RESNET is a not-for-profit membership corporation that is a recognized national standards-making body for building energy-efficiency rating and certification systems in the United States This RESNET link will direct you to further explanations regarding the advantages of working with a HERS professional and to information that will help you identify raters in your area.

Building Performance Contractor. The Building Performance Institute administers several designations for residential contractors having particular training and expertise in building performance—specifically energy efficiency, combustion safety, air sealing, and HVAC system performance. BPI certifications include the following designations, among others:

• Building Analyst
• Envelope Professional
• Heating
• Air Conditioning and Heat Pump
• Manufactured Housing
• Multifamily

All certified contractors must initially attain the building analyst designation and then may move on to one of the more specialized areas. BPI has also developed more advanced certifications for auditor, installer, crew leader, and quality control. Visit the BPI website to learn more about the designations and how this expertise can enhance the performance of your project at www.bpi.org/professionals.

In general, BPI certifications are primarily geared to existing buildings and retrofit work, while ENERGY STAR raters are trained for inspection and verification of new homes. Yet, each carries an emphasis on ensuring that certified professionals have a solid understanding of building science and how different systems in a building interact.

Keep in mind that a formal, third party certification is only one indicator or path to expertise and high quality. Many builders, remodelers, and trade contractors have developed skills through trade journals, Internet research, conferences, and simply longstanding experience.