Locating and Hiring a Contractor

If you've decided to forgo any attempts at doing-it-yourself and want to hire a contractor instead, there are many important things to consider before signing on the dotted line. The following pointers should help you find a contractor that will work closely with you to achieve the desired results:

1. Start by collecting a list of more than one contractor by asking around. Call up any friends you know who have had work done on their home and ask for companies they recommend. Once you've found a few prospects, view examples of their work to determine whether or not the finished product is up to your standards.
2. Gather rough estimates from each contractor on your list. This is an important step because price will help you narrow done potential contractors and find out which ones are honest about price.
3. If your job is a major one, obtain more than one bid (at least 3 bids is a good idea). Just remember that this part of the process does take some time, so allow the contractors three weeks to come up with a proper bid. Read each bid carefully and make sure they outline the materials to be used. And don't make a selection based solely on price - if a particular contractor outbids the others, ensure they have the appropriate experience and knowledge to pull off the job.

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As long as you do your homework ahead of time and put a good effort into the selection process, you'll be able to find a good contractor for a reasonable price.

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