I am a single woman,just bought a house, it needs work.how do i get a contractor i can trust??

Question

I am a single woman,just bought a house, it needs work.how do i get a contractor i can trust??

Answer 1

Ask for references. Also, don't hire one to do everything. Have more than one, that way one may point out the mistakes of others.

Answer 2

what do you mean trust what, do you think they are going to rob you or something YOU JUST BOUGHT THE HOUSE. DO resrearch

Answer 3

Don't trust any contractor... angie's list might be of use to u.  

Answer 4

My Husband says:

Just call around, the contractors in your area, but be careful. If they ask for a large percentage of a down payment, dont give it to them. Alot of contractors have a tendency not to do the work after they get their down payment.Most will ask for around 30%.

Ask how long they have been in business for.

Or ask if you could contact someone they have worked with before so you could talk to them about thier work. Ask your friends or coworkers. They might be able to send you to someone who had a good experiance.

Answer 5

www.bbb.org.  Look for an accredited business.  You should be able to search by business category.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You can also ask your co-workers, people from church, etc for who they advise and also who they don't advise.  Also ask them why they advise or don't advise..

Answer 7

Most contractors belong to an association.  Dont use them if they dont.

Ask for references and examples of recent work.  Ask to go and see the work they have done and speak to the people at the house.

Lay down the rules when they start.  Show them the kettle and the teabags and say that is where you can make some tea.  Do not say that you will do it or you will be forever at it - here speaks the voice of experience.  Show them a loo they can use - preferably one downstairs and then treat them like workmen.  They are not your freinds but people who are there to do a job, well and on time.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

I would ask around where you live first and see who they recommend. Make sure you interview the top few you chose and get to know more about them. I would also make sure you get references from them. Goggle their company might it might come up and county records to see if they have ever had someone sue them for either not finishing a job or doing crappy work. Good Luck

Answer 9

USA    DO NOT TRUST.  Get a written estimate from at least two contractors, and a written contract from the one you choose.  Include things in the contract such as who does clean up, who removes debris - and how often (daily, weekly for big jobs), use of bathroom, who supplies power or water (usually homeowner) but if you do not want them in your house when you are not there, make sure there is a receptacle for them to use, or they provide their own power.  Include in the contract that work will be paid for AFTER it is inspected.  No extra pay for week end work, or more than 8 hours per day unless YOU specifically require them to work overtime.  Changes must be approved in writing.  No written change signed by you, no pay for it.  Have the contract reviewed by someone you know.  If you do not know anybody, put the contract on-line and ask for comments.

Check with the local municipal code enforcement office regarding permits, code requirements and inspections for the work.  If your town does not provide inspections, hire your own third-party inspector.  It will cost one hundred dollars or more, but will save you SOOOO much.  And tell the contractor you are going to have the work inspected.  When a contractor knows his work will be inspected, he does it the right way - and you get your money's worth.  If the work is not inspected, the contractor can do horrible work, make you believe it is the best work in the world, and charge extra!!!

DO NOT let the contractor hire an independent inspector.  Either the town provides it, or you hire them.

Pay no more than 20% down.  Progressive payments:  25% at one third completion, 25% at two thirds completion, 30% upon final completion, AFTER inspection by your inspector.  Any reputable contractor will agree to those terms.

Answer 10

Ask the neighbors in your old neighborhood who they have used.  If you liked living there before then you like their work; and the best reference is word of mouth.

Answer 11

I hate to say it, but I would recommend getting a male friend or relative with some knowledge over to help you interview prospective contractors.  Not only are they less likely to try to cheat someone that's assumed to have some knowledge (I know it sounds sexist, but it's just the way it is - guys will always have instant credibility in this field, and girls have to show it), he may ask some questions you wouldn't have thought of, and he will be able to tell you whether a contractor is blowing smoke.

You might also be more comfortable seeking out a female contractor - there are a few.

Also, seek out reviews from people who have used this contractor.

Answer 12

ask a friend if they had one that did good work for them.  

Answer 13

you can ask the Realtor or Bank if they know any reputable Contractor in your area.

Answer 14

Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the contractor that you are contemplating  using, be certain that he is licensed and check with the licensing agency to be certain that it is valid. Lastly, ask for references, call them and ask to see samples of the contractor's work.

Answer 15

For God's sake and yours do not get someone's friend or the handyman.  I have gone that way before and my house looks a mess.  Get someone licensed and check the better business bureau also.

Now I am looking at a half a____ done bathroom that I payed good money to be done and to top it off, the person was referred to me from a major home repair store.  I also helped him to bring and place the materials in my bathroom.  He in return said I needed extra supplies and I would give him the money.  At the end, that person charged me $300 over the original quote.  At the time, I was trying to get prepared for my daughter's marriage and I went on without argument three weeks prior because I wanted him out of my house.  Afterwards, my son-in-law and daughter was going to have it finished by him.  I warned my son-in-law about how he is and he took heed.  His scheme was that if he started adding on the price in the store that he would leave him in the store.  That's exactly what happened and my son-in-law in return told him that I had warned him about this nonsense and he left him in the store.  I did not sue because at the time I was so busy and some things you just chalk up as life experience to help someone like I am trying to give you insight.

Do web searches like some of the ones that some of the responders have suggested.  However, don't just get anyone.  You can mess up your house yourself for free rather than to get someone who doesn't care and is just down right greedy.  They are out there.

My joke to my daughter is that I can see a friend's house with such good work done by a "friend or handyman" but when I ask it's not like it looked at my friend's house.  This is the day that they might have been mad with their wife or didn't feel well and did mine.  It happens.  Take heed and if you have a male relative or intelligent male friend, let them show up also.  Don't state all the time that you are alone.  I say that because I have experienced guys that try to mix work with getting date to make you start feeling flexible with your cash.  It happens.

Answer 16

I was in a similar situation last year.

Whenever you are ready to get a contractor, there are many things you need to do.  First is to find a list of reputable contractors are fully insured and bonded in your area and this can be found in trade associations.  Second is to interview at least 3 contractors. Third is to get a written estimate from each contractor. Only give money up front for material, never pay for labor until job is done to "your" satisfaction.

If you want to know more details on what to do, I found this book last year that walked me through 2 jobs I had done on my house.  You can find it at delmersdeals.com and the book is called "you can do it".   Hope this helps.

Answer 17

  You  interview  them  first,get everything  in  writing and  NEVER ,never  

give  them $$$$$$$$$$  in  advance ,  see  the  estimate  of  the  materials   and  you  only give   $$$$$  with  a  sign  receipt  by  the  contractors  and  make  sure  you  have  all  the  info  about  them where  ,when,  and  what,.You  can  interview  as  many  as  you  can  get  someone  with  you  during  interview  as  witness.You'll  know  who.

Answer 18

Yeah that's a tough one.  We had a contractor that we thought was trustworthy by his presence and conduct but he turned out to be the worst! Don't trust any contractors ask people you know if they know any good contractors.  And definitely check out the Better Business Bureau.