To Hire a Contractor

When it comes to home improvement, one of the most crucial decisions is choosing a contractor. A warning to the uninitiated: Finding a reliable, trustworthy contractor can be frustrating and time-consuming, but the extra effort upfront will be well worth it. Sean Zobaa, vice president of Contractors.com, a Web site that profiles contractors, offers the following advice:

Make sure contractors are properly licensed and insured. Ask for a copy of their insurance certificates. Find out how much they are insured for and how much liability insurance they have.

Ask about credentials. Belonging to trade organizations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry demonstrates a commitment to continuing education as well as interest in abiding by the best practices.

Like your contractor. If you don't feel that you're on the same wavelength, you'll have a difficult time communicating your ideas and concerns. Look for contractors who will listen to you as well as educate you about the process.

Check references. Contact previous clients and ask detailed questions. What was the quality of the workmanship? How well did they stay on time and budget? Did they clean up after themselves? Was there a project manager on site to supervise workers? Contact the Better Business Bureau to see whether any complaints have been filed against them. Whenever possible, visit projects the contractor has done.

Get three or four bids. Put exactly what you are trying to accomplish in writing, so that when you speak to several contractors you will be comparing apples with apples. Note: When comparing reputable contractors with similar credentials, there should be no more than a 5 to 10 percent difference among bids.

Key elements to include in a contract: The starting and ending dates of the job, a payment schedule, materials and labor warranty information, what materials will be used, how you will communicate with each other if there is a problem, how a dispute will be resolved. Be specific about brand names, materials, finishes, etc. If it's not in the contract, it probably won't stick down the road.

Make sure the contractor agrees to obtain all necessary permits. Don't apply for permits yourself. If you do, you are designating yourself as the general contractor and are liable for the project.

Terri Sapienza