How to Find a Reputable Contractor
The time comes when every home owner needs basic repairs or upgrades done. Knowing how to find a contractor who will do quality work for a fair price is not as easy as it seems. The Better Business Bureau has received more than 9,000 complaints against contractors during 2006. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unethical and unskilled contractors costing home owners thousands to repair shoddy work or to hire another contractor to complete an unfinished job. If you're looking for the contractor of your dreams to transform the exterior and interior of your home, following these guidelines can help. Does this Spark an idea?
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Know what to watch out for. When you want to know how to find a contractor, it's just as important to know what to avoid as it is to know what to look for. For example, avoid contractors who go door to door, only accept cash payments, offer to do a job using leftover materials from another job or are not listed in the local phone directory. You should also be wary of contractors who want you to obtain a required building permit to start a job or who offers to do work on your home as a demonstration.
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Do a background check. You should always check out the background of a contractor before hiring. A professional will expect you to do so and will not be offended if he has nothing to hide. If he plans to subcontract some of the work, you should also check the background of his contractors as well.
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Contact past clients. Ask for a list of referrals and make sure to follow up. Speaking to actual clients is the best way to find out how professional, reliable and skilled a contractor really is. You can find out if the work was completed on time and whether or not the project went over budget.
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Get everything in writing. A professional will give you an estimate in writing and provide you with a written agreement with the total cost, payment terms and expected end date. Avoid verbal agreements at all costs. You should take your time and look over the agreement carefully before signing. You can even have an attorney review agreements for high-priced projects just to be on the safe side.
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