You’ve found a contractor that you want to work with – make sure you do your homework before work begins! Check things like:

- Their references
- Their current jobsites
- Their standing with their trade union
- Their standing with the Better Business Bureau
- Get detailed estimates

If all goes well, you now have a contractor and your project can get underway. Keep the following in mind:

- Do not pay in full for a job upfront. The contractor may require a portion of the payment to get supplies. The remaining funds should be paid out on a schedule: second payment when an agreed-upon amount of work is completed and final payment at the completion of the job.

- Be sure to inspect the work being done periodically and before making a scheduled payment.

- Hire someone you can communicate effectively with, with whom you can have a conversation and understand each other’s expectations & requirements.

- Ask for insurance and the Workers Compensation Clearance Certificate before the job starts. Failure to get these things can leave you in a very vulnerable position should anything happen on the site, such as damage, injury, etc.

- Ensure that your contractor knows how to file for permits and is able to get them when required.

- Ask for a written contract outlining the construction schedule, the payment schedule, a precise description of the work being done. Contracts protect both you and the contractor. If they stand behind their work, they should be happy to have the guarantee that a contract provides.

All this being said, once a contractor has done good work for your in the past, I may not be as particular with getting multiple quotes, especially for smaller jobs. Make sure you value their time and try to create a longstanding win/win relationship.