When the time comes to improve your home it's important to remember one thing, "not all home improvement contractors are alike". Here are some tips to help you make the right decision.
  1. Ask friends, family and neighbours for the names of contractors they have used and would recommend.
  2. Look for a well established company that stands behind their workmanship. Don't be misled by slogans like "three generations of experience". Find out when the company was established. You're best dealing with a company that has developed a solid reputation and that you feel will continue to do so, well into the future. 
  3. Avoid fly-by-night contractors. Make sure the contractor has a permanent business address and phone number.
  4. Get detailed estimates in writing from at least two or three contractors and never pay for an estimate.
  5. Check the contractors record with the Better Business Bureau.
  6. Make sure the contractor carries public liability, property damage and worker's compensation insurance. Get this in writing and call to verify that the policies are in force.
  7. Ask the contractors for customer references and visit some completed jobs. Find out if the contractor performed as promised.
  8. Make sure the contractor offers written warrantees for both material and workmanship. You should be confident that the contractor will be in business in the future, if not the workmanship warranty is worthless.
  9. Compare the materials quoted. Not all materials, or warrantees are alike.
  10. The best contractors are only as good as their installers. Insist on having trained experienced craftsmen work on your home.
  11. Never put down a deposit of more than 10% of the total cost of the job. Preferably, deal with a contractor that doesn't require a deposit.
  12. Never make a verbal agreement with a contractor, always get everything in writing.
  13. Be wary of contractors with low bids. They may cut corners in order to make a profit, they may not have complete insurance coverage, they may not employ enough skilled labour or they simply may not understand (or care) what is involved in doing the job right. Remember, "the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten".
  14. Make sure the contractors are committed to education. The home improvement industry offers a wide variety of educational programs that professional contractors will have attended.
  15. Finally, trust your instincts. If the estimator; is professional, arrives when promised, listens to your concerns, gives your home a thorough inspection, is knowledgeable, treats you with respect, and provides you with a detailed written estimate, it's probably a good indicator of what's to follow. Equally, if you're treated poorly from the start, it's also likely a good indicator of what's to follow.