Ask a Professional - April 2007

Ok, I’ve got a plan, I’ve checked my energy benefits and I’ve got some referrals and I just want to use them to see if my friend who says he’s a contractor can beat their prices? Is this a good way to see if I can get my job done right and at the right price?

All I can say is…friend or no friend, Buyer Beware! Most licensed contractors are competent, honest, hardworking and financially responsible. However, home improvement is a top source of consumer complaints nationwide. Most of the problems could be prevented if homeowners knew their home improvement rights and took responsibility for their project. Hiring a contractor is not the same as buying a house or a car. You are actually signing into a Mutual Working Relationship with someone and it better be on a Professional level. Make sure the numbers add up realistically and you can get along with him or her because you’ll be working together side by side for the duration of the job. Ask yourself, is he or she easy to get a hold of? Well, that’s it for now. Next month we’ll get further into homeowners rights.