Choosing a contractor ranks right up there with choosing a business partner

Choosing a contractor ranks right up there with choosing a business partner. For better or worse you are entering into a relationship with high stakes and even higher consequences. There are countless stories about promises made but not kept, materials suppliers not having been paid and jobs left in limbo because of disputes between owner and contractor.

Here are some initial questions to ask yourself when you are considering whether or not to consider a particular contractor.

Is the contractor licensed by your state or locality? Licensing determines that the company or person is indeed a contractor and helps to establish that they have met some basic requirements. It's not a guarantee but it does mean you should have fewer things to be concerned about.

Does the contractor have experience doing the kind of work you want to have done? If you want some plumbing fixtures replaced then hiring an electrician that happens to need the work may electrify you in more than one way.

Is the contractor organized? If you have to call and leave repeated messages and endure excuses when all you're trying to do is get an estimate then don't expect anything different after you hire them. There is such a thing as a contractor who is too busy and they can cause you just as much heartburn as one who is not busy at all.

Will the contractor spell out the details of the job? Arm waving and penciling ideas on napkins are good starting points but they don't make for a well-thought out plan that will be predictable in terms of cost and quality. You want someone who will pay attention to the details because that's one of the biggest reasons you hire a contractor in the first place.

Is the contractor's experience verifiable? Are there completed jobs you can go look at? Can you talk to former clients? Are there contractor or builder associations where the candidate is active? Can you talk to the contractor's material suppliers?

All of these things can help to give you a very good idea about the stability and experience and professionalism of a contractor. You owe it to yourself to begin your building project on the right track. This is not the place to cut corners so take the time to get to know your potential new business partner.

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