Selecting the right contractor

It is generally assumed that if you pick up a phone and call a contractor, that a qualified, experienced, licensed and insured individual will answer at the other end. The truth is though that if you don't know how to find a good contractor, you could end up disappointed with the results.

Some states (Texas for example) don't even require proof of your experience in the field or even a measure of your skill to issue you a contractors license. So, with that in mind, how do you know who will be good, and who won't?

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure, but you can do your home work first for the best chance of success. Most people know someone who has had work done, and a referral from a happy customer can be a good place to start.

Don't stop there though. No matter who you ultimately hire, get several references from all of the contractors you are considering. Those references should be for jobs that are similar to the one you are proposing. They should be checked by phone and verified in person if at all possible. After all, that persons idea of quality may be far from your own.

Verify that the person you are getting the bid from is (or is a legal representative of ) a (currently) licensed and insured contractor. This can usually be confirmed by visiting your states contractors license web site (as far as I know every state has their own). While you are there you can check for active and/or resolved disputes and or complaints that contractor may or may not have with previous customers. Any contractor who hopes to stay in business will have no unresolved conflicts or complaints (unless that action is still pending) against them.

Get at least three estimates for your job from only the contractors qualified to do your particular job. Those individuals without the experience or the credentials for the kind of work you need done throw off the curve and should not be considered, even for pricing references.

Understand that a smart contractor will also be interviewing you for the job. For example, if I get a call from a potential client who says they are getting twenty estimates, I will wish them good luck, and decline the opportunity to do the estimate. A contractor who is giving free estimates wants to believe they have a good chance of getting the job, so regardless of the actual number of bids you will get, never admit to more than about three.

Schedule your "in person" interviews with your competing contractors separately. It's very inappropriate for those sessions to overlap. You wouldn't want another patient in the examining room with you, waiting for your doctor while he/she examines you, would you?

Be sure to present the same exact information (a copy of the prepared plans is ideal), and require the same credentials (license, dollar amount of insurance requirements etc...) to each competing bidder in order to accurately compare their estimates.

And finally, require an estimated completion date in writing as well, as this point may help to influence your final decision.

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Good day to you,
Rob