Tips for Consumers: 
Home Repair Services

  1. Ask for references of former clients.
    Be wary of persons that claim to have experience yet cannot offer any professional references with contact info.

  2. Ask if the individual is a licensed business or LLC with either insurance or bonding.  If so, there may be information available about this business  through the Better Business Bureau, or State Regulators.

  3. Make sure that you have some form of written agreement between you and the worker concerning the work to be done and the agreed upon compensation for that work, as well as the time needed to complete the work.

  4. Get a bid in writing detailing the cost of the materials and supplies, as well as the cost of the labor involved to complete the job.

  5. Do not agree to make a full payment up front.  A typical agreement might involve 50% down for materials, with the balance to be paid upon completion of the agreed upon job.

  6. Get two or three estimates.

  7. After getting estimates and talking to the contractor about the details of the job, consider researching a bit on-line . . . . standard labor costs for your area; cost of materials given the quality/grade discussed; steps involved in re-
    tiling a bathroom; a plumbing schematic, or whatever.  Knowledge is power!

  8. And, the downside . . . . . even those we don’t want to have to think about it. Inquire about all the hidden potential costs, so you are prepared for the worst.  What if the sub-floor is bad too, and what are the added costs in dealing with that?