At some point you are going to need to hire a contractor (plumber, electrician, HVAC technician, etc). All contractors do not preform to the same level. Here are a couple of suggestions for finding the right contractor for your project.
Next, make sure permits are ordered on bigger projects so that you know the job is completed correctly. Furthermore, some bigger projects need to have contracts spelling out exactly what is to be done. Finally, don't pay the full amount until the project is completed.
- Ask co-workers, friends, home inspectors, and realtors who they like and don't like. Keep in mind that contractors are people too, so one bad job does not mean they are a bad contractor.
- Typically, the more experience a contractor has, the better they are, however it's not a straight line. What I mean is that a contractor with three years of experience is typically much better than a contractor that just started. But a contractor with 13 years of experience may not be better than a contractor with only 10 years of experience.
- Check out online reviews at HomeAdvisor, Angie's List, Google, Yelp, and Thumbtack. Just don't assume the cheapest contractor is the right contractor.
- Interview the contractor. For bigger jobs it's a good idea to interview the contractor. Ask the contractor questions about schedule, contract, guarantee, insurance, and are they bonded. Also, I like passionate contractors, therefore ask them about some of their favorite projects.
Next, make sure permits are ordered on bigger projects so that you know the job is completed correctly. Furthermore, some bigger projects need to have contracts spelling out exactly what is to be done. Finally, don't pay the full amount until the project is completed.