When possible, choose a contractor through personal recommendations. Try to get referrals from friends or neighbors who have had similar work done. You can also findprescreened local contractors right here thur Better Contractors Bureau of Houston.
Put together a list, call and pre-qualify several contractors. Be sure each contractor is licensed and insured for worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability. From each contractor, request names and phone numbers of a few satisfied customers. Call those references and ask to see the contractor's work.
When you've made a selection, ask to see his or her contractor's license and double-check insurance coverage.
Be sure your plans are thought through completely. It's fair for a contractor to charge you for changes and modifications that are not in the plans, particularly those changes that will require more work or more expensive materials.
Be sure to include a completion date and details on when and how payments will be made.
When specifying materials, avoid the term 'or equal' unless it is clear that substitutions can't be made without your approval.
From the FTC Consumer Alert:
Ask the contractor for the following information. Use it to check out the contractor with appropriate authorities and previous customers. If the contractor is reluctant to give you this information, consider doing business with another company.
- An unsigned copy of the contract
- A copy of the estimate
- Contractor’s name
- Street address (no P.O. Box)
- Telephone Number
- License Number
- Name under which license is filed
- Number of years contractor has had a license
- Names, addresses and telephone numbers of previous customers. Ask them about their experiences with the company. If possible, visit a completed job.