Steps for choosing the right contractor

1. Contact your state's Department of Commerce

Many states' Department of Commerce is the entity that actually licenses any remodelers, any roofers, any residential home builders, or the installers of manufactured homes. Most states requires that all of these builders and contractors actually have an official license in order to do business within the state.

It is important to hire a licensed contractor. Contractors in many states are required to have a Contractor's Recovery Fund, which is set up in order to protect the consumer. If you end up hiring an unlicensed contractor, then you won't have any recourse to this fund. Contact your state's Department of Commerce to ask about their rules and regulations for contractors, and any protection that they have put in place for consumers.

When you are looking around for the right contractor, ask for the contractor's license number. Then call up your state's Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce for your state can tell you whether or not the contractor has a current license, and whether any complaints have been filed against the contractor in the past and if any disciplinary actions have been taken against the contractor.

Also call up your local Better Business Bureau for local references.

2. Ask a few other questions from the contractor.

There are some questions that you need to ask the contractor other than the typical questions about their bid and estimates. Here are some important questions to ask so that you can ensure the contractor's credibility:
? Ask the different contractors where they have had businesses, and how long they have had a business.
? Ask each contractor for some references. Then call up some former customers of the contractor. Ask the former customers about their satisfaction and whether or not they had any problems.
? If the contractor only gives you a P.O. Box for the address, ask for another address.
? Make sure that you get a local phone number where you can reach the contractor during regular business hours.
? Ask for proof of licenses. Also ask for proof of insurance. Ask for hard copies.

3. Other questions that you need to ask.
-- Estimates
-- ask if a contractor offers free estimates.
-- try to get at least three different estimates
-- make sure that you qualify the contractor when you ask about an estimate. Ask about liability insurance, workman's compensation, and a license. If they say no to any of these, you don't even need to continue with the estimate.
--take notes with each contractor that you talk to. Ask questions and ask for clarification. Make your goals and your plans clear.
--Ask for the estimate in writing. It must be in writing. If the contractor has made any verbal statements of promises, make sure that they are in the estimate. Make sure that it is a detailed estimate. Once again, don't be afraid to ask questions. You need to be perfectly clear about absolute everything.
--don't rush the decision. Look at all of the different implications. You might be tempted just to go with the lowest price, but also look at the quality that the contractor is offering. Compare the quality of the job with the cost and then make your decision.