| Whether you are remodeling your kitchen, getting | | | | regarding their satisfaction with the contractor's |
| new windows or building an addition, choosing a | | | | work, if they finished on time and the communication |
| contractor is one of the most important steps the | | | | between the contractor and the homeowner. Keep in |
| process. Hiring a competent, reliable and professional | | | | mind that a contractor may provide a reference with |
| contractor is the first step toward a successful home | | | | the mindset that he performed great on the job, but |
| improvement or home repair project. It takes more | | | | the customer may feel differently. Considering you |
| effort than a simple phone call. Most homeowners | | | | are the potential customer, you will want to at least |
| would agree that contractors and home | | | | hear the customer's perspective. |
| improvement companies vary significantly by cost, | | | | Because your home may be one of your most |
| availability, expertise and professionalism. Taking the | | | | valuable assets and largest investments, it is |
| time now to do research could save you | | | | important to hire only the best. You need to protect |
| unnecessary headaches and, most importantly, | | | | your investment by hiring a quality contractor and/or |
| hundreds and even thousands of dollars. | | | | professional to work on it. |
| Adhere to the recommendation to obtain at least | | | | Home improvement, repair and maintenance |
| three estimates or quotes. You will be surprised to | | | | professionals often advertise in the telephone book, |
| find that two contractors may submit two widely | | | | online directories, on the radio or TV or through |
| different estimates on the same project. When | | | | online referral services. Do not evaluate the |
| comparing the estimates, though, be sure they are | | | | contractor's quality based on the advertisement. The |
| providing a quote on the same scope of the project, | | | | best way to obtain referrals is from friends, family or |
| timeline and quality of work. Otherwise, it is a rather | | | | co-workers who have worked with contractors on |
| useless comparison analogous to comparing applies to | | | | their home improvement projects. Even with these |
| oranges. | | | | referrals, though, be sure to get multiple estimates |
| Also, request to see the contractor's license and | | | | and be sure the estimates are in writing. Do not |
| certificate of insurance. Most states require a | | | | automatically choose the lowest quote, also. Ask the |
| contractor to carry certain types of insurance, such | | | | contractor to explain price variations. The contractor |
| as worker's compensation, property damage and | | | | may also be willing to revise the quote after some |
| personal liability. However, many either never | | | | discussion. |
| purchased it or allowed the policies to lapse. Without | | | | Most importantly, you need to feel comfortable with |
| proper coverage, you could be liable for any | | | | the contractor. Communication is at the core of a |
| employee injuries or proper damage caused during | | | | successful home project and, if you do not feel |
| the project. | | | | comfortable communicating with the contractor, |
| Do not be afraid to contact and investigate local | | | | problems will likely arise. |
| references from previous customers. Ask questions | | | | |