No matter whom you want to hire, nothing beats recommendations from happy customers. If your neighbor had work done last year, and you are thinking about doing some remodeling yourself, this is the best place to start when you begin getting estimates.
Hire-a-contractor-now.com was specifically designed to provide an easy, user friendly methodology for consumers who need work done, and estimates prepared.
Find a general contractor at online job sites can save hours and hours of valuable time. No playing telephone tag, no waiting to talk with references, no guessing, and it’s virtually mistake proof. These job boards help manage your time, the job, the fees, and there is a paper trail to rely on in case of misunderstandings or further clarification.
Only the good quality contractors will register on sites like this simply because they are now visible to the world. The quality of their work and customer comments will be available for everyone to see. Contractors who know they have things to hide, or don’t have the correct licensing to be in business, or even those with a poor history of customer satisfaction and perhaps a few lawsuits, are typically smart enough to stay away from online job sites just to reduce their chances of being found out.
If, perhaps, you live in an obscure locale that isn’t serviced by this type of job site, you may need to resort to online searches or the phone book. If you do use the phone book, find ads that are at least an eighth of a page – telephone book advertising is quite expensive, and only very successful businesses – of any type – can afford these ads.
One way to not only get a contractor but to see them in action and even get a reference is to drop by a new condo or housing development going up. The name of the contractor will usually be displayed on a banner or huge sign. Then, find any of the workers on site and ask what they like about working for that contractor. Next, call the developer and ask for a reference. Remember – even though he’s a general contractor working on a huge project, he’s still a residential contractor who may be able to handle multiple job sites at a time and would be very interested in hearing about your proposed second story addition, or new guest house plans.
The last thing you want to do is hire someone without at least seeing his work, getting references, or having a rapport.
Unfortunately, when people start thinking of “general contractors”, visions of dollar signs, disappointment, and reality TV start floating through their minds. Don’t be discouraged thinking you don’t need or can’t afford a general contractor. Sure, you may pay more, but every penny will be worth it, especially if you do your due diligence and hire someone with excellent references and the professionalism to do what he was hired to do.
