A new law to license Pennsylvania home improvement contractors will require contractors to register annually with the state. Backers hope the new law cuts into the number of complaints against contractors. No law can guarantee quality of work, but the new law will stop Pennsylvania from being a safe haven for unscrupulous contractors who must register or take tests in neighboring states. Some contractors have come here because they haven’t had to register or pass a test to determine the quality of their work.

We are planning to do a major remodel of our 30-year-old home in the spring. We know what we want done; kitchen redo, new windows, two-bathroom makeover and removing a wall to enlarge the family room. We have never done anything quite as big as this and wonder if you could advise us on how to avoid the horror stories we’ve heard about with contractors.

The first step in finding the perfect roofing contractor for your home is to decide–or have a sense of–what kind of new roof you want. Do you want to simply replace the roof you’ve got with the same asphalt shingles? Or are you interested in trying a new material, such as metal, ceramic, slate or something more unusual, such as a planted “green” roof? Whatever your choice, you’ll want to find a roofing contractor who specializes in the materials that appeal to you.

If you’ve seen roofs that you like in your neighborhood or town, don’t be shy about asking the homeowner who did the job and perhaps how much the roofing job cost. Asking friends, family, and others for recommendations is a good way to start your search. Professional builder and contractor organizations are another good resource.

Bidding Your Roof Project
Conduct quick telephone interviews with each of the contractors on your list. Check their availability, whether they’re licensed and insured, and willing to provide a client list. Once you’ve narrowed your list to three or four contractors, you can begin asking for written price estimates to determine roofing costs. Be sure that contractors specify what grade of materials they plan to use and what kind of warranty is offered, so you’re able to compare apples to apples.

Bids should include the cost of materials, labor, and all other expenses, as well as profits. Materials generally account for 40 percent of the total bill; profits are typically between 15 and 20 percent.
Check your top contender’s references and make a couple of quick calls to your local Better Business Bureau and your state’s consumer protection organization to ensure the contractor doesn’t have a history of upset customers.

Adding onto your home is a major undertaking, financially and logistically. As you begin your search for a contractor to complete the job, you’ll start by looking for someone whose work you love. That’s certainly important. But you should also place a good amount of value on how well a contractor communicates with you and understands your vision for the project.

Start your search with recommendations. Ask friends and family. But don’t stop there. Local building inspectors know which contractors meet code requirements and lumberyard workers know which contractors buy quality materials and are reliable bill payers.

What Every Person Needs to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

You can easily narrow your list of prospective room addition contractors by conducting quick telephone interviews. Ask contractors about their availability, whether they take on room additions of your size and scope, could they give you a ballpark idea of what a room addition might cost, are they licensed and insured, and can they provide you with a client list? Once you’ve picked your top three or four candidates, you can begin seeking written estimates to determine how much the room addition will cost.

Show them the home addition project area, your plans, and ask them any questions you might have. You’ll get a sense of the contractor’s personality and how well you might work together.
Bids should include a detailed list of materials and their cost, labor, profits, among other expenses. Materials generally make up 40 percent of the total cost; profits are usually between 15 and 20 percent. 

But before you hire, do your homework. Call your favorite contractor’s references. Ask whether the job was completed without time and budget overruns. Check with your local Better Business Bureau and your state’s consumer protection agency to make sure the contractor doesn’t have a history of problems with clients or subcontractors.

You could throw a dart at a random list of contractors and easily hit one that has built a deck at some point during their career. But just because a contractor has built a deck, it doesn’t mean that’s who you want to do your job. Decks–whether they’re a simple square or span several levels and require fancy woodwork–require special attention to how the space will be used, as well as how the deck will work in relation to your home and garden.

What to Ask Before You Hire a Deck Contractor

The easiest way to find a contractor is to ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. If you’ve seen a deck you like, don’t be shy about asking the homeowner who built it. They’ll be flattered you like their deck, and you’ll begin your search with a solid list of contenders. Contractor directories, some including ratings and other feedback, offer another good place to get started.

Ask every deck contractor a short set of questions including:

• How long have you been in business?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• Do you have references I can check?
• Can you complete a free estimate?

Some contractors might charge for an estimate, but many are confident enough in their prices and quality of work, they don’t. Be sure to obtain at least three written estimates that include what kinds of materials will be used.

If you don’t already have a deck plan from which to work, ask whether the contractor will complete drawings. The drawings should specify all construction details, including the foundation, railings, benches, and stairs.

When you and your contractor are on the same page, what you want is what you’ll get.

What is unique, say Realtors and financial lenders, is the opportunity homeowners now have to remodel their homes at bargain prices in order to better prepare them for sale. That’s because contractors, who were once flush with work, are now desperate for business. And the cost of many materials, once in high demand during the construction boom, have also fallen.

We love building for ourselves, but some jobs just need to be subbed out. Unfortunately, a competent, honest remodeling contractor is no easy find. There are thousands of reliable, trustworthy contractors out there—but there are quite a few toolbox-wielding knuckleheads, too. To protect yourself—and your money—here are 4 tips to ensure that your next remodeling project goes smoothly.

The kitchen is one of the most valuable rooms in the house and renovating your kitchen can increase your property value. However, a poorly executed do-it-yourself job is not the answer. Hiring a certified professional for you kitchen renovations can save you money and aggravation in the long run.

Contractor 101
How do you find the best contractor for you kitchen remodeling project? Get personal references from friends or family, however don’t take referrals at face value – get written estimates from at least three contractors. And don’t always choose the lowest bid; you may get what you pay for.

Before you hire, ensure that the contractor works for a reputable, certified company. It’s best to find someone who has been in business for several years and has a lot of experience. Ensure that the contractor:

• Has a current license. You may want to check with the Department of Labor and Industries or the Construction Contractors Board if you aren’t sure
• Is a member of a local trade association (ex: Master Builder Association, Associated Builders & Contractors)
• Is not asking for full payment upfront. It is reasonable to make a down payment to cover material costs, but nothing more.
• Drafts an estimate that includes the cost of the materials and labor, an outline of what is to be renovated, and lead times for the work.

Remodeling your kitchen can yield nearly a 100% return on investment. Don’t hesitate to hire a professional for an important remodeling job. There are plenty of reputable contractors who can cater to your needs within your budget.

The kitchen cabinets are a large component of kitchen remodeling costs. You can dramatically change the look of you kitchen and save on remodeling costs by refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them. Although a do-it-yourself job can be rewarding, it’s best to hire an experienced contractor to eliminate wasteful mistakes and major headaches. But how do you find a good cabinet refacing contractor?

The Contractor Search and Negotiation
Ask around and network with your friends and neighbors for a licensed, reputable referral. Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Get to know each contractor by asking them questions about the estimates. Envision the completed job including color schemes and material with the candidates prior to hiring.

Once you’ve chosen a reliable contractor, ensure that all contractual agreements are in writing and that a written home improvement contract is with the estimate. The home improvement contract should include:

• The contractor’s name, phone number, and address
• A detailed description of the cabinet refacing project
• Cabinet refacing start and end dates
• A statement that there will be no change of plans without your approval
• A stipulation that the contractor will not violate building codes
• And details of payment: down payment, monthly payments, number of payments, and total finance cost
• The contractor’s signature and license number

Before you commit yourself to one contractor make sure that you educate yourself. Attempt to only pay a minimal down payment for materials and services. Before long, you’ll be reaping the benefits of a brand new kitchen with little sacrifice.