Selecting A Contractor

A poor choice could leave you, at best, with poor workmanship in your home. At worst you could be legally required to pay craftsmen a second time for their work when an unscrupulous contractor has accepted your payment, failed to pay his subcontractors, and then left the scene with the job incomplete.

A good choice, on the other hand, will mean a job progressing according to reasonable expectations, high quality work, stress relieved by practical suggestions from the contractor, and payments going toward building a solid value into your house.

To improve your chances of making a good choice, follow these guidelines.

• Look for an established contractor. A company remaining in business over time demonstrates its ability to satisfy customers. Such companies will also be around to honor their workmanship guarantees. Established contractors have survived tough times and have developed a degree of financial stability. Ask for and check a contractor's banking and supplier references.
• Look for a contractor who routinely performs the work that you are needing done. Such contractors know the requirements of the job and are able to deal with them most effectively. They also are familiar with local building codes and other legal requirements, as they deal with them on a daily basis.
• Select a contractor who has his work well in hand. A company's rapid growth may not necessarily mean better services for you. Rapid growth is a sign of an effective sales staff. Make sure that the production staff is equally qualified and able to keep up with the schedules. Many high quality contractors have chosen a size at which they feel they can adequately serve their markets and seek to maintain quality within that size. Get references on past customers and check them out to see what their experience has been with a particular contractor.
• Don't necessarily take the cheapest bid. Study carefully what you are getting for your money. A more expensive bid may be better value for the dollar-after all, additional quality has to reflect additional time and more expensive materials. Also, if a contractor's bid is too low, he will have little motivation to complete the job and certainly none to put in the final extra touches which bring a completeness and beauty to the finished product.
• Check out the contractor's credentials. If your locality requires licenses, make sure they are current. Check to ensure that the contractor carries public liability and workman's compensation insurance. Make sure that the Better Business Bureau does not have an adverse file or record on the contractor. Again, check references of past customers.
• Membership in professional associations indicates that the contractor maintains a professional relationship with other contractors and tries to keep abreast of new developments in the industry.