When you have an issue with your house and you do not have a contractor to help you fix the issue, the best thing to do is get a referral.  It can be from a friend, Realtor, co-worker.  A referral is gold for three reason.

• The contractor has done work, for a person you know, and it was done right.

• You do not have to research and interview contractors to hire the right one.

• The person, who referred the contractor, is a person you trust (that person should be).

They seem like great reasons, but that is not always the case.  You should treat any referral the same as someone you do not know.  Just because it is a referral, does not mean you have to use them.  Make sure they fit the type of contractor you are looking for, the scope of work, and the contractors prices fit within your budget.  Do these five things and you will know if the contractor is right for you and your project.

Vetting A Contractor that was Referred to You

• Make Sure You Trust the Referer - Always have a group of people you know and trust who can refer someone to you. Don't just take any a referral from anyone.

• Interview the Contractor - Find out how long he has been in the business? Does he do this type of repair? Does he have references? Getting as much information as possible, will help you to determine if he would be good to hire.

• Check All References - Make sure that you call all the references and check with them about the quality of work, if they were on time, and how well they communicated with them.

• Get an Estimate - Always get an estimate upfront so you know what the costs are. I grew up when a handshake mattered, but you cannot trust that anymore. Review the estimate and make sure all work is on it.

• Everything Should be in Writing and Signed - Make sure that all estimates, work orders, or anything that involves the project or money, is in writing and signed by all parties. The last thing that you want to happen is agree to something, then the contractor changes it, and there was nothing put in writing.

Where to Get a Good Referral

There are lots of great places to get a good referral.  Remember a referral should be from a person you trust .  Take a look at the list below.

• Family member

• Friend

• Realtor

• Other contractors

• Clients - this one is more specific to me

• Angie's List or Houzz - Use these two online sites if you don't know or can't seem to find a good contractor. Just read the reviews and make sure you are happy with them.

After going through this process, you will know if the contractor does not fit what you are looking for.  There is no written law that says you have to hire a contractor who was referred to you.  Most of the time people do, but on some occasions it does not work out.

If you are reading my blog, I am curious about how many contractors you interviewed for your last home project or repair. Take the survey below.