Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

Before you hire a home improvements contractor, how do you check him out thorougly to make sure he's not a cro

ok or a dishonest contractor?

Public Comments

1. Ask to see his license. Ask for references and call them. Ask them if you can see the work he did for them.Check him out with the Better Business Bureau. Write out a very specific contract with a deadline for completion of work. And don't pay for more than half up front.
2. 1. Ask for references and then call them. 2. Call the BBB 3. Go to your village engineering department and see if he is licensed in your village and if they have any complaints.
3. Call your local painters union and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against him. He may not be union and there may not be any complaints. Ask for references and call them. How long has he been in business? Good Luck.
4. i am a home improvement contractor i suggest you ask for references. then follow though and call one or two the people he/she/it has done work for. ask the reference about their experience. would they rehire the contractor? make sure the work was done recently and ask if you can see the work. if the contractor refuses to give references you probably shouldn't hire him/her/it.
5. You don't. Their all crooks. No just kidding there must be some decent one's out there somewhere. If I was you I would go to my local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau and check with them if they know of any honest one's. If the work isn't too much, have you thought about doing it yourself with some of your buddies? Just give them some beer later and maybe a barbeque and they will be grateful. Believe me, you will save a bunch of money and a whole lot of aggravation. Good Luck
6. Ask for references from the last 5 jobs he has done and call these people to ask about the quality of his work and ask to come see it. Also ask if he did the job in the time alloted to him to complete that job. Ask about his attendance and method he wanted to be paid(for instance,1/2 down before he starts).
7. You could try Service Magic online--they do a variety of research on various companies all over the country. Things to look for: how long in business? Licensed, bonded and insured? Don't just take their word for it, get their insurance information and request confirmation and expiration date from their company. Do they make binding estimates? Up-front requirements and payment plans. You should never be asked to pay the whole cost before completion. Commonest arrangement is 1/3 up front, 1/3 when the work is half done and the final third when it is complete. Also check them with Better Business Bureau and check their references. Plus, never accept an estimate without comparing, and never pay more than you can afford. Or even agree to it.
8. Don't bother about asking for a license. In most states that is just a matter of filing a form and paying a small fee. You can ask for references but better would be to ask friends to see if they've used somebody that was good and they would recommend. Finally, you may want to make sure the contractor is bonded.
9. I would find out what other jobs he has done, physically check out his work and talk to the owners of the property as to their experience with this person and then contact the necessary state and local agencies as to his license and insurance and the courts if he has had a judgment against him regarding his business.
10. I just went through this. There is only one way to know if the contractor is a good guy or a crook. You have to have personal recommendations from people you trust. A lot of contractors will willingly give you a list of customers but I have found that many of those are friends and realtives. Heck, I use to own a business where I stacked the deck with friends. If you can't find someone who has used a contractor in the past, try Angie's List (seach for it on the internet) or have the contractor take you to a place that he has built and have him show you around. It takes effort but it is worth it. Also, make sure that they know the codes in the area and have insurance. Also, make up your own contract spelling out what you are paying them to do, when you expect them to work and when it will be done. Just remember, that signed paper is just as binding as the one the contractor will make you sign.
11. you ask to see his licence, ask him for 3 referances, and call the BBB, better business, and see if anyone has complained on him. Also, get 3 or 4 bids, and do not go with the lowest bid. Be pro-active during the project and ask questions. I hope this helps