Wanted:

A Good Contractor

Y

A good contactor should have five or more years of experience. Most contracting industries offer professional designations that indicate a higher level of education and professionalism. You should plan to solicit at least two to three bids from prospective contractors, but the first thing to do is to ask friends and neighbors if they can recommend anyone. If they had work done in their own home, inspect the finished product. If you like what you see, you may have just found yourself a contractor.

Another option is to sign up with Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), a community Web site that pools customer reviews of contractors in various areas. It costs four to five dollars a month, plus a $10 sign-up fee. Membership gives you access to hundreds of detailed reports of contractors written by those who have hired them.

No matter how you find a contractor, it’s important to check their references. After talking with past clients, you should check county records to find out if your contractor has been named in any lawsuits. The Better Business Bureau is also a good resource to see if any complaints have been made against your contractor. Finally, make certain that your contractor is properly licensed by finding out what licensing or bonding requirements exist in your state.