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Choosing a Contractor

Unless you're a world-class do-it-yourselfer, you'll probably need to hire a contractor at some point to handle your major home improvements. The first step is to ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of contractors who have done work for them. Once you've gotten a list of names, do a little research on each one. Contractors should have a physical address, rather then just a post office box, in case you need to get in touch with them. Statistically, most contractors go out of business within three years, so look for one who's been around a while. You don't want one to go bankrupt halfway through your job. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints that may have been registered. Remember, just because a contractor may have a couple of negative remarks doesn't necessarily mean that you should find someone else. The "rating" system of the BBB does not take in consideration the amount of jobs a company has done. If one company has 3 complaints but they do 100 jobs a year, that's probably better than the company with one complaint that only does 3 a year. Any legitimate contractor will provide you with a list of satisfied customers whom you can talk to. Contact at least three contractors for bids. Before you officially accept a bid, check with the contractor's bank to determine solvency. You also need to know if the contractor is insured. Property damage, liability, and worker's compensation are the minimum insurance needs.