Caleb Mardini brought up a great point in his reply to a blog that I had posted about shady contractors, I would like to take a moment to give some positive ideas and suggestions on how to find good contractors that are out there also.
Reliable contractors do exist ‑- it's simply a matter of knowing where to find them and, more importantly, How to sort them from the ones you don't want.
Getting good Recommendations
When looking for a contractor it is very important to ask your friends and family for recommendations. Another great source to draw upon, are colleagues and your professional networking circle. NO two home-improvement projects are alike, and a recommended contractor may not have the skills necessary to tackle the particular job you have in mind. First you must ask detailed questions about their experience and if they truly feel that they can handle the job that you present to them. Trades people (painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, roofers, drywallers, etc) deal with contractors repeatedly, over a long period of time and on a variety of projects. They are, therefore, in a better position to offer a contractor referral then most. If a recommended contractor tells you that he's too busy to take your job, ask him to refer you to a colleague who may be suitable for the job you have in mind. Also colleagues in the real estate business may have a list of trusted contractors that they have worked with in the past or have even suggested to others over the years. Everyone knows somebody that has had work done, just ask around and start taking names of the ones that people give praise too. Its not that different then the Real Estate business where we work on client satisfaction and referrals.
Screening contractors
Don't take the contractor's word about his work ‑- ask for the names and phone numbers of three to five customers who've had similar work completed by him in the past two years. What did you like and dislike about the contractor? Did the final cost of the job exceed his estimate? Did they complete the work in a neat and timely fashion? Would you hire them again for another project?
Check Credentials
Before checking to see if the contractor you'd like to hire is adequately insured and licensed, you'll need to contact your county offices to research what credentials are required for home-improvement contractors in your state and in your county. I also recommend that the contractor you hire have a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance. Also check with your local BBB and see if they are a member, or if any complaints have been given. In Oregon, we can check the background of a contractor by going to the local online CCB board and reviewing their history. We can also see if anything is not updated or if there are any complaints.
The right Match
Are you the type of person who likes to be involved in every decision, or do you prefers to leave your job "to the experts"? Be up front about how involved you'd like to be in the renovation process. Ask your contractor to tell you how comfortable he is with customer involvement. If your approaches aren't compatible, it's a good sign that he might not be the right person for the job.
Get it in Writing
In addition to getting a written cost estimate for the job, ask them to document details about the type of materials they plan to use as well an anticipated start date, project schedule and completion date.
Once you've signed a contract, your contractor may request a 10 to 30 percent down payment. The remaining balance should be paid in Stages throughout the remodeling project. Hold onto 10 percent of the remaining balance until the final details of the project are completed to your satisfaction and everything checks out with inspections. Another suggestion would be but down 30% and the balance at the completion and satisfaction of the job. This will all depend on your relationship with your contractor and the expenses they have on the project as they accrue.
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