How To Hire a Great Home Improvement Contractor

Hire a great home improvement contractor if you want to avoid disaster and disappointment. Follow the four crucial steps explained in this article.

If you've noticed an increase in news stories about homeowners getting ripped off by bad home improvement contractors, there's a reason - money.

When homeowners are spending big money to improve their homes - every sort of handyman and contractor comes "out of the woodwork" to make a quick buck.

Follow these 4 crucial steps for success

1. ASK AROUND

Ask other people who have had similar remodeling work done.

For example, you can drive around your neighborhood and see who has done some recent home improvements. Knock on their door or put a note in their in door and ask them if their contractor was any good.

Ask friends, workmates, people you do business with, employees where you shop, people in your group activities. They may have done recent home improvements or maybe someone in their circle of friends and other contacts has.

Never underestimate the power of ASKING.

2. ONLINE RESOURCES

The internet is a wonderful tool. You can use online resources for locating a great home improvement contractor in your area. ReliableRemodeler is a recommended online resource. It's a free service that lets you get three bids from contractors in their nationwide database. After reviewing all the bids you can select the most appropriate one to interview.

3. GREAT REFERENCES

Hire only a home improvement contractor with strong referrals, high rankings and necessary licensing and insurance. You should confirm that their contractor's license is valid for their state. You can do so online. For example, here's the website for the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Each state should have a similar website.

Call the contractor's recent past clients; maybe two to four homeowners, and ask about their experience with the contractor. A contractor should be prepared to give you referrals without hesitation. Not only should you speak with the past clients, but if appropriate, drive by their property to see the quality of the work yourself.

4. GET MULTIPLE BIDS

Once you have obtained a few good referrals of home improvement contractors, get multiple bids; at least 2 -3 bids to compare prices, both on materials and labor costs, their experience on your type of home improvement and related concerns.

You may find that you have a preference for one contractor over another, but his price is higher. With competing bids, you may be able to negotiate a lower price with the contractor you prefer to hire.

This is another area in which it never hurts TO ASK!

Follow these four crucial steps and avoid the heartache and expense of a home improvement disaster.