Whether you're looking for
a carpenter or contractor,
consider carefully.

Get Referrals

Your best means of finding the right contractor is to ask relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Most people love to talk about their remodeling experiences, so gathering information on potential remodelers shouldn't be difficult.

Here are some questions to ask people who have remodeled:

• Were they happy with the contractor's finished product?
• Were they comfortable communicating with the professional?
• Did he or she respond to their concerns?
• Did the crews show up on time and clean up at the end of each day?
• Did the subcontractors (such as the electrician and the tile installer) show the same level of courtesy and professionalism the architect or contractor displayed?
• Was the project completed within budget? If not, did they know why? Many people with whom you talk will be uncomfortable discussing how much they spent, but you can certainly ask whether they thought the professional delivered on his or her promises.
• Was the job completed on time?
• Did the contractor propose changes midstream that they liked or disliked? Steer clear of contractors who tried to impose their visions on projects at the expense of homeowners' wishes.

If you're new to your neighborhood or simply don't know anyone who has done any remodeling, check with lenders, architects, and real estate agents for names. Or, check out Internet search engines for contractor referrals via the keyword remodel. Be sure to carefully check references and licenses of names you receive from any source.