by Starla Ross

Created on: February 06, 2009   Last Updated: February 14, 2009

One of the most difficult choices of remodeling can often be who you will choose to do the job. If you've determined that the project is more than you can handle yourself, it's time to call in remodeling professionals.

There are five top things to consider before hiring a contractor:

1. Past Experience

Past experience is almost always proof of future behavior. Ask around to see who has a good reputation as a contractor in your area. Chances are your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers have had positive experiences with certain contractors in your town. Ask people you know for references. In addition, ask your potential contractor for a list of references from people in which has done work and call them for their opinion. Check with a remodeling and home improvement social network in your local newspaper or online. Lastly, be sure to check the Better Business Bureau (

http://www.bbb.org to see if the company has had a large number of complaints or any unresolved complaints in its file.

2. Professionalism

If your potential contractor shows up late to give you a quote, you can almost anticipate he will show up late (or not at all), when it's time to do the job. The same goes with his appearance, and the appearance of his crew. If he and his crew look sloppy and disheveled, there's a good chance your project will as well.

3. Credentials

Your home improvement project could become a disaster if your contractor does not have the right credentials to do the job. If you're hiring a plumber to fix plumbing issues in your home, your county will most likely require he have a plumber's license to operate in your area. He will need that license in order to obtain the proper plumbing permits to do your job.

You'll also want to make sure your contractor is insured (and bonded, if necessary) before he makes improvements on your home. If he's not insured, and something happens to him, his employees, or your home while he is working there, you don't want to be held liable.

4. Specialization

Certain contractors often specialize in specific areas. For instance, there are professional contractors who specialize in the plastering of walls and ceilings. When you're ready to have a job done, be sure you're hiring the right kind of contractor for your job. A contractor who specializes in plastering may have honed his craft and may do it well, but he may not do such a great job of installing new cabinetry in your kitchen.

5. Schedule

Ask the contractor if he will do the job in its entirety before he takes on other work. What you don't want is a contractor who starts your project and then leaves it sitting for three weeks, while he goes to work on someone else's home.

Finally, when you receive a quote for work to be done in your home, ask the contractor what date he will be out to perform the work. If he can't look at his calendar and give you a specific day or week, be wary. Remodeling professionals are those that can give you a set time-line as to when they will show up at your home, and how long it will take to do the job.

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