What to Avoid!

For more ambitious home improvement projects, you will need a contractor.
This is a man with pickup truck and a set of business cards that say 
something like:

CONTRACTING BY JACK
We build stuff
We Don't Do Windows
"We Never Show up"    

Now, I am of course kidding about that last line. They won't tell you that
they never show up; this is a secret they are sworn to uphold during the
graduation ceremony at the Contractor Academy,  where each man learns 
thousands of excuses, such as: "I strained my, back."  "My truck has a flat
tire". "My wife is having a baby." "My truck is having a baby."

These have been handed down through many contractor generations, dating 
back to ancient Rome, where the original contractors built the ruins. 
(Contrary to what historians tell you, the ruins were never finished 
buildings: they were always ruins. The Romans kept trying to get the 
contractors to finish them, but the contractors kept coming up with 
excuses.)

The basic contracting process is as follows. First, the contractor visits
your house and strides around in confidence-inducing fashion, taking 
measurements and writing things on a clip board. What he is writing is the
batting averages of the 1978 Boston Red sox, which he will multiply by the
relative humidity.  Once you agree to this "estimate, the contractor tells
you that he will come back and start work on "Thursday." 

Four to 13 weeks later, the contractor shows up with two workers and 
informs you that he will be back on "Thursday." Then he disappears.
The workers put all of your furniture out on the patio, then knock
down a wall. Neither of these steps necessarily have anything to do with
the lob at hand. This is just basic contracting procedure. Having
completed these tasks, the workers take a well earned "lunch break."

They will never come back again!

If you are planning home improvement, you should choose your contractor as wisely as you would choose your home. The quality of your remodeling work depends solely on the contractor. 

Check with friends and relatives for recommendations, and with local real estate agents. Check with public building inspectors, the Better Business Bureau, the Real Estate Commission, or the Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney General's Office to see if any complaints have been made against a contractor or company. Your local Home Builders' Association can also inform you if the builder or contractor is a good standing member. When complaints are received, they use ethics and an arbitration board to resolve consumer problems. 

Once you have narrowed your choice of builder or contractor, shop around. Request the name of the suppliers and materials that they will use to gain information about material quality and reputation. View jobs remodeled by the contractor that you are considering and talk with the owners. Make sure that the style, quality, and price fits your criteria. Check the work, and note special attention to details of the home. If you feel that you are incapable of making such judgments, take along a person who has such knowledge and can help you in making these determinations. Be sure to bring a notebook and take notes as you make comparisons.

When interviewing contractors, do not be afraid to ask questions. Be as specific as possible, and if answers are verbal rather than in writing, be sure to take notes. Always ask for a copy of the builder's warranty. Make sure that you understand every part of the document before the building or contracting begins and problems begin to occur. Many builders offer some form of written warranty that lasts for one year. Not all builders offer an insured warranty; you must first check before the initial building begins to see if the warranty is insured. Make sure the policy has not expired. Some builders make two service calls to the home after completion for non-emergency services. For more urgent problems, the builder should immediately send someone over. If you have done your homework, you will know what type of association the builder belongs to and if some type of arbitration is offered for settling disputes. 

Building or remodeling a home is a major decision. With a little effort, you can avoid problems before they begin. Make an informed choice with a reputable builder who has a warranty and is insured. Be sure that you feel completely secure with your choice of contractor or builder. Be sure that all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction and you feel confident with your decision.

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