What is the best way to find a contractor who is reliable, honest and does an excellent job?

Working with Contractors Hiring a Contractor
21

Check and walk through previous finished projects and check with previous customers for customer satisfaction.

22
  1. Referrals, Referrals, Referralsā€¦
  2. You must meet the contractor in person, ask pertinent questions about the proposed work, ask for references(verifiable) to contact by telephone or in person, ask for licensing credentials, ask about contractors experience,
  3. Is the contractor knowledgeable about his/her trade?
  4. Is the contractor polite?
  5. Is the contractor prompt when he/she comes to give you an estimate?
  6. Is the contractor prompt getting a price or bid back to you?
  7. Do you believe the contractor to be honest and credible?
  8. Even though price is important, it should not be the main reason for your decision to chose a contractor.

TRUST IS EVERYTHING IN BUSINESS !!

Thank you

23

word of mouth and always asked for local references.

24

Word of mouth. Sometimes you can get a gut feelingā€¦it really is hard sometimes. Thereā€™s so many companies and contractors out there. I donā€™t believe in the whole in business for this many years idea, Iā€™ve been in business for less than 2 years but have over 10 years of experience and customer satisfaction is my top priority. I take tons of pride in my work.

25

The best way to find a contractor that is good reliable and honest is to find out his back ground recomendations from friends or other clients that aredy finish projects good recomendation from others license and insurance more than 4 years on bussines pictures from the most resent job finish and and check company on bbb.com if dosent has any complain from other peoples or company i this has a contractor that i am if i look for some contractor i will do the same ā€¦

26

If the contractor has many on line reviews, over 15, he probably cares about every job he dose and does not want negative reviews how he handles himself with homeowners.

27

Ask for references and pick up the phone! ā€œBestā€ is a very generic blanket term. If you want to find someone who will fit your needs you must do the proper research. Have a list of questions ready to ask prospective contractors and find a time beforehand on your calendar so that you may schedule estimates quickly.

28

Check the license number. The lower the first number, the longer they have been in business. This does not mean that someone with a license that starts with a 2 (253456) will be a guaranteed good fit but it does mean that this person has been in business for many, many years and that they have a tremendous amount of experience. Also, (in California) check the state contractorsā€™ website and run the name or number through their database. There you will find out if they have had any disciplinary actions, proper workmenā€™s comp and bonding insurance, and current active or suspended status.

29

Ask an architect. We know the good ones and the bad ones. I would not want my clients to hire 3/4 of those who call themselves contractors at any price. Then. of the ones that pass the first test, there are all the factors such as willingness to follow directions, respect for your property, and financial integrity. Our firm has been around 35 years, and we tend to work with a small pool of contractors. When clients bring their own, often because of a friendā€™s reference, there is often difficulty because they simply are wither not skilled enough or ethical enough. Some people think the same contractor who paneled a friendā€™s basement is qualified to do a 20,000sf comercial fitout or a custom home. Even if the guy were really good at it, it would be like hiring a veterinarian to do brain surgery on you. We have 8 to 10 questions we ask references for new contractors we are investigating. Most owners would never think to ask these questionsā€¦ We know them, because we work with them EVERY DAY.

30

A bank will not lend you money without doing their own little version of a background check (CREDIT CHECK), because they want to be sure you will repay the money that belongs to THEM!
Consider yourself a bank, it is your money, references should be checked, ask for them, I am sure you worked hard for that money. I welcome that from a customer because if I get the job after a reference check I must be doing something right!!!

                 INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT
31

GREAT question: please refer to our blog about 3 common ways a homeowner can get ripped off by a general contractor: http://kanler.com/blog/3-ways-a-homeowner-can-get-ripped-off-by-a-general-contractor

32

#1 Ask for referencesā€¦ and call them!!

Then follow up with reasonable Due Diligence.

33

Buildzoom.com is the best way to find a quality contractor!