| Renovating your home is a large undertaking, and you | | | | local lumberyard about which contractors purchase |
| want it done right. If you have decided to hire a | | | | quality materials and stay current on accounts. |
| professional contractor for the job, there are a few | | | | Each contractor who will be quoting your project |
| things to keep in mind in order to protect yourself as | | | | (typically at least three is advised) should be given the |
| well as your most valued investment, your home. | | | | same set of specifications to ensure that your quotes |
| First and foremost, research your state’s legal | | | | are comparable. Though it may be tempting to |
| requirements for contractors regarding insurance, | | | | automatically hire the contractor with the lowest bid, |
| licensing and workers compensation, so that you can | | | | price is not always the best criteria for deciding which |
| eliminate any contractor who does not comply. Visiting | | | | contractor to hire. The contractor you ultimately hire will |
| the Contractor’s License Reference Site is one | | | | be spending considerable time in your home, and the |
| way to learn about licensing requirements in your area | | | | work performed will likely impact your home’s |
| and find out whether a particular contractor holds an | | | | value. Selecting a contractor with the skills and |
| active license. | | | | professionalism to deliver quality work can help ensure |
| Asking friends and family for references is usually a | | | | that the effect of your renovations on your home |
| good starting point for finding a contractor who will | | | | value is a positive one. |
| perform quality work. Many contractors and home | | | | Once you have selected your contractor, ensure that |
| renovators agree that the best way to research a | | | | every detail of the project is outlined in the contract, |
| prospective contractor is to contact past clients, ask | | | | including projected start and finish dates, procedures |
| detailed questions and if possible, visit one or more | | | | for changes, a payment schedule, labor and material |
| work sites to check out the quality of the work. Tom | | | | charges, a lien waiver and any specific agreements |
| Silva, general contractor at This Old House, shares a | | | | you have made with the contractor. Do not count on |
| couple of other excellent ideas for finding good | | | | verbal promises alone; even if the contractor has a |
| contractors in his article How to Hire a Contractor. Tim | | | | standard contract for most jobs, provisions may be |
| suggests checking with a building inspector to learn | | | | added to the contract upon agreement between both |
| whose work is typically up to code or consulting with a | | | | parties. |