Gutter cover installers provide a service just like an HVAC company, roofer and other service technicians. You wouldn’t allow a non-licensed HVAC repairperson or an uninsured roofer to work on your home – so why even consider a gutter guard installer that isn’t licensed, bonded and insured? Yes, you may pay a bit more for installation of an identical product from an unlicensed or insured company, but is it really worth it? Understanding how insurance, licensing and bonding protects you, the homeowner, may make you think twice before hiring a company that does not offer these protections.
Licensing
Although qualifications and regulations vary from state to state, licensing helps you know that the contractor has, at the very least, the minimum experience and knowledge required to pass the state contractor’s exam. The state licensing board will also run a background check on the individual applying for the license and usually check for financial stability. Some states require proof of insurance and bonding as part of their licensing process. Sometimes hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in having to remove newly installed equipment or getting a permit after the fact, which often comes with fines.
Insurance
Not all states require gutter guard installers be licensed – although many gutter contractors do more than install gutter covers on a house so they have a license because of their other service offerings. If you are in one of those states or come across a company that installs house gutter covers without licensing, they still should carry insurance.
Licensed or not, there are three types of insurance you should confirm your contractor has to protect you financially:
- Liability insurance. This protects you against personal injury or property damage during the course of the gutter cover installation.
- Workers’ compensation insurance. This covers medical bills and other associated expenses of an employee should they be injured while working on your property.
- Commercial vehicle insurance. If the contractor’s truck or van backs into your vehicle or home, you want the damage covered.
Many contractors purchase one policy with all three types of insurance since it is often less expensive than three separate policies.
Bonding
There are two categories of bonding. Some contractors have only a surety bond; others have a fidelity bond and some have both. A contractor with a surety bond has the backing of a fund to compensate you financially if they don’t fulfill the terms of their contract. Fidelity bonding means that you’re protected in the event their employee steals from you. Because a gutter cover installer doesn’t need access to the interior of your home, you may find that most exterior contractors only have a surety bond.
Talk to Our Professionals
If you’re considering the installation of gutter covers on your house, be sure to contact Gutter Helmet. Not only are our products time-tested and patented, if we authorize a contractor as a Gutter Helmet® gutter guard installer, you can be assured that the company is licensed, bonded and insured. Call (800) 824-3772 or contact us to learn more about our products and be connected to your nearest installer.
