| Hiring a contractor is a luxury that relieves your | | | | unfortunate cases, when the work order is not made |
| shoulder of the burden to build it yourself. However, | | | | clear, a property owner may be saddled with an |
| to get the job done right and arrive at a fair and | | | | unreasonable bill after the contractor has walked |
| equitable rate, be sure you are dealing with | | | | away. Even if you refuse to pay, he can and will |
| professionals and take the necessary precautions to | | | | collect the money through a mechanic's lien, so be |
| protect yourself against fraud and poor workmanship. | | | | sure you are on the same page when it comes to |
| 1. Licensing. | | | | payment. |
| Before you hire that contractor, be sure his license is | | | | 4. Mechanic's Lien. |
| valid to work in your state and he is working within | | | | When a contractor takes on a job and a financial |
| the expiration date. You may conveniently verify the | | | | dispute should arise, the contractor may file a |
| contractor's license online by entering the number on | | | | mechanic's lien against the property to secure his |
| the website for the contractor licensing board for | | | | payment. Contractors may present a preliminary |
| your state. Your online query is quick and anonymous | | | | notice to the home owner if he wishes to retain his |
| and will save you time and money to weed out the | | | | mechanic's lien rights, so don't be offended or |
| unqualified contractors for your job. | | | | dismayed by the documents. This is a normal course |
| 2. Communication. | | | | of business and also alerts you to the professional |
| It is essential to communicate effectively with your | | | | approach that your contractor is taking to building or |
| contractor to ensure you share the same concept | | | | repairing your property. |
| and vision for the project. If you are able to draw | | | | 5. References. |
| your specifications or can present a photograph, a | | | | To put your mind at ease when hiring a new |
| picture is worth a thousand words and will serve you | | | | contractor, you may wish to check the Internet for |
| well. In addition, be sure to make clear the materials, | | | | blogs and forums that express consumer complaints |
| size, color and placement of the task at hand and | | | | and compliments. Sites such as Angie's List lend |
| follow your contractor's progress to the end of the | | | | valuable consumer input from homeowners just like |
| project. | | | | you, and can shed some light on contractor work |
| 3. Everything In Writing. | | | | ethics, efficiency and fairness with their billing. In a |
| No matter how gregarious your contractor seems to | | | | world with so many consumer choices, you are one |
| be, there is always room for misunderstandings and | | | | step ahead if you do a little research on your |
| sloppy workmanship at the end of the day. To | | | | contractor company and read what other people are |
| protect yourself from below par work ethics or a | | | | saying about it. And if you find a terrific contracting |
| having to pay for unfinished work, be sure to get a | | | | company to do business with, be sure to share it |
| guarantee of services and a total budget dollar | | | | with others and give it a favorable review of your |
| amount attached to the estimate. In some | | | | own. |