How to Hire a Contractor Without Getting Hosed

When that happens, youll want to hire someone wholl get the work done without too much hassle.

Here are our best tips for hiring the best contractor for the job, every time.

How old is your furnace?

What about the wiring?

When was your HVAC last serviced?

Then, havea qualified home inspectorcome check things out so you know which repairs to prioritize.

This will take some time and effort, but will be well worth it in the end.

Ask family members if they know a good contractor in the area.

Stop by local businesses and ask for recommendations.

Dont ask who toavoidalthough some people may volunteer that information willinglyask who theyd love to work with again.

Check for complaints

A list of recommendations is just a starting point.

Your next move is to see if any of the businesses youre circling have complaints lodged against them.

Some counties and even cities have their own licensing requirements, too.

Nows the time to start calling.

You cant afford to let an uninsured contractor work on your home.

If they get injuredor put a backhoe through your garageand they arent insured, the bill comes to you.

Dont feel bad being firm with your request for proof of insurance.

Ask how many employees they have and who will be doing the work.

Communicate what you need as clearly as possible to decrease any chance of miscommunication and wasted time and money.

This is also the time to do a thorough vibe check.

If you get a bad feeling aboutany part of the meeting, dont move forward.

That comment cost him the job.

Never accept anything like, It should run you about [insert price here].

Should things go terribly wrong, verbal contracts are worthless in court.

Spreadsheets are enormously helpful during the quote-gathering stage of the game.

No contract, no deal:Never hire anyone who wont sign a contract.

Right after theyve tapped in the keystone and handed you the final bill.

There isnt a construction process around that is easier to fix later rather than sooner.

Frequent check-ins will ensure the work is done just the way you want it.

Reputable contractors do not demand all the money up front.

A reputable contractor will have good credit and an account with his suppliers.

This isnt necessarily an easy process because it involves contract law, which varies by state.

According to Bankrate.com,youll want to ensure theres a material breach of contractbefore terminating a contractor mid-job.

(This is where those photos and written changes come in handy.)

The golden rule definitely applies to the contractor-client relationship.

This article was originally published on July 2, 2010.