Hiring a Contractor

Everyone has heard the stories about people who have been ripped off by bad contractors, but the majority of tradespeople are honest, reliable, and capable. Some background research will help you find them, and some commonsense guidelines will ensure that you enjoy a good relationship with them. But give yourself plenty of time: good builders, for instance, are often booked up for months in advance, and you don't want to be pressured into choosing someone just because they are available.

In this section, we've put together a guide to finding a reliable contractor, along with information about asking for quotations and agreeing on the work.