Home Improvement Contractor

Just about every home owner has had some experience with hiring contractors for repairs or remodeling . . . and almost everyone has a tale to tell of something that went wrong. Many of those complaints can be forestalled by carefully choosing the right contractor for a big job or a competent and reliable specialist or handyman for a smaller one. But how do you find a good contractor?

• First of all, make sure you have a clear idea of what work you want done. Outline the job in writing, and, if you want specific materials used or certain fixtures or appliances installed, describe those.

• Generally avoid businesses that solicit door-to-door for home improvement jobs. Although some of these businesses are reputable, this type of approach is standard practice for home remodeling scams, particularly those preying on elderly people. Unless you need an emergency repair, it's also usually not a good idea to select a business at random from the yellow pages listings.

• Check with neighbors, friends, and relatives who have recently undertaken or completed a home improvement project similar to yours. Be sure to ask if they were satisfied with the work, the price, and the time frame for completion of the work.

• Ask local suppliers of home improvement materials, appliances, or fixtures if they have recommendations for contractors or workmen; for instance, if you will be contracting for electrical work, ask your lighting fixture store for recommendations.

• If you have had related work done by a reliable business, for instance, plastering or drywalling, and you need interior painting done, ask the firm you used to refer you to painters they recommend. Craftsmen in a related area who take pride in their work usually won't steer you to a lemon.

• Once you have the names of several possibilities, your work in checking out these people or businesses is just starting. Call your local Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints against the firms. Then check to be sure the contractors and craftsmen you're considering are licensed in your state (over 30 states require licenses) by calling the licensing board or commission, usually located in the state capital. While licensing is no assurance of competence or reliability, it does establish a base level, and dealing with a licensed contractor may give you greater clout if problems occur.

• The next step is to start calling the businesses or professionals that were referred to you. Consider this call a first cut of prospects. This is the time to discuss the following: --Does the contractor have experience doing the type of work you need? --Is he or she licensed, bonded, and covered by worker's compensation and liability insurance? --Does your time frame for the work fit his or her schedule? --Would the contractor provide you with references from homeowners who have had similar work done? --How long has the contractor been in business?

• If your home improvement project is a big one, set up appointments with at least three contractors on your short list to discuss the job you've outlined and to ask for itemized written bids that include the labor, materials cost, and the expected starting and completion dates. For small jobs, less detail is necessary, but it's still a good idea to get three estimates.

• The in-person meetings to discuss the job are important both to be sure there is mutual understanding about what needs to be done and to make sure you will feel comfortable dealing with a particular person. Personalities do make a difference, especially if the contractor will be working in your home for an extended period of time. These meetings also give you a chance to ask the prospects about their workmen, subcontractors, and suppliers.

• Take time going over the estimates, and, if there's a wide range between the highest and the lowest bid, check out why; for instance, are the specifications for materials different or is something missing from the low-ball estimate? Resolve any questions you have about the estimates before you make a decision about which contractor to hire.

• Before you make a final decision, ask your top choice for photocopies of his or her license and proof of insurance coverage. This is the time to ask for bank references, as well as references of satisfied customers, suppliers, and subcontractors. Be sure to check these references thoroughly. Any signs that the contractor is behind on bills should send up a red flag for you about possible future legal problems: If you pay a contractor but the suppliers and subcontractors aren't paid, in many states they could put a lien on your house.

• Your work doesn't stop here. You'll still need to approve a contract and a payment schedule, oversee the work to be sure it's done according to contract, and negotiate with the contractor if problems occur. If you have selected your contractor well, it's less likely that you'll have problems further down the line that require arbitration or legal recourse.