Don't put your investment or home at risk. Learn what questions to ask and what to look for when hiring a professional, reliable remodeling contractor for your home improvement project. Consumers can make the best investment by finding the best contractor.

Here's how:

Estimates

Always get at least 2 or 3 estimates on any project. You’ll be surprised at how two contractors can bid the same project and have completely different prices. (One contractor’s heavy work schedule alone may significantly increase his bid). Ask friends and neighbors for suggestions. Make sure he or she is proficient in your required area of remodeling. We also suggest that consumers pay no more than 1/3 of the contract price as down payment.

References

Always ask for references. Request to see other jobs like yours and speak with former clients. Ask the clients about the contractor’s quality of work, professionalism, timeliness, adherence to budget, and overall satisfaction. If possible, drive by and look for yourself at the quality of their work. Don’t be afraid to call them and ask questions like: "Were you satisfied with the work?" "Did they start and finish at a reasonable time?" "Was there enough communication between the contractor and yourself?"

License

Is the contractor licensed in accordance with both state and local regulations? In Maryland and other states, if a consumer hires an unlicensed contractor the consumer’s recourse against that unlicensed contractor is very limited should a problem develop. Ask to see their contractor’s license and then call the proper authority to verify if the license is current and if there are any unresolved complaints against the license. You can find out if the contractor is licensed by accessing this link provided by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). You can also call the MHIC at 410-230-6309 or 1-888-218-5925 to ask if complaints have been filed against a contractor and whether they have been resolved or are still open.

Ask them Questions

Find out "How long have they been in business?” "Who will be the supervisor in charge of the project?" and "How many projects like this have you done before?"

First Impressions

First impressions often reflect how the contractor will conduct work on your home improvement project. If a contractor keeps his/her appointment for an estimate, it's more likely that he/she will be prompt in arriving to and completing the job on time. How a contractor answers their phone when you are trying to give them work can be a good indication of how available they will be after they get the job. The image of a company can be also a good indication of the way that they work. Is their estimator clean and uniformed (or at the minimum in clean painter’s whites), or are they covered in paint and need a good lesson in hygiene? Are the contractor’s trucks well marked, clean and organized? All of these things can reflect the work habits of a contractor.

Liability and Workman's Compensation Insurance

If something is damaged by the contractor and the contractor is not properly insured, you have a problem. Unless you personally view a current "Certificate of Insurance," assume the contractor is not properly insured. Guess who pays if the contractor or one of their employees is injured while performing work on your property and the contractor is not properly insured? Yes, you will also be responsible for the costs associated with the injuries if you hire a contractor without the proper insurance. This type of insurance is different from Liability insurance. Again, unless you personally view a current "Certificate of Insurance" assume the contractor is not properly insured.

Warranty

A contractor should provide you with a written warranty. However, the warranty is only as good as the company itself. Will the contractor be around for the length of the warranty? Be cautious of exaggerated warranties.

Commitment to the Profession

Find out if the contractor is a member of any professional organization, such as the Maryland Improvement Contractors Association (MICA). This means they care about the
quality of their work and as well as their profession. Search our directory of home improvement professionals and find a MICA-member contractor for your project.

Finally, hire him or her and get to work!