ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Remodeling

Hiring a Contractor

How do I find a reputable contractor?

After thinking through what you want and what you can afford, ask for recommendations from people who have had similar work done and talk to building inspectors, bankers, and trade association representatives--people who should know firsthand the work and reputation of contractors in your community.

For a large job, interview and solicit bids from two or three contractors from your list, but make sure they are bidding on exactly the same job to allow comparisons. The lowest bid is not necessarily the best, because a contractor with a reputation for excellent workmanship and for standing behind the work might charge more. Even if the job is small enough to warrant only one bid, take time to check out your contractor's reputation and credentials.

Make sure a contractor's references had similar work done. For a kitchen remodeling, for example, ask for former clients who have had kitchens done by the contractor. And don't just ask for references--actually call them. Most people won't mind at all chatting with you about their job. Chances are any such references provided by the contractor will be happy clients, so try to go a step or so beyond "He's a great guy" and "No problems at all."