Why is it that you ended up hiring the wrong contractor? You had gone online to research the subject. You talked to your friends and neighbors and interviewed many contractors. Yet, you are not happy with the work or the services the contractor provided. Sounds familiar? Well, as a contractor let me walk you through what I call a fool proof system to screen and choose your contractor. Even though I’m a wood flooring contractor this goes for choosing other trades as well:

• Look for a contractor who specializes in one trade. If you need your wood floor refinished look for a wood flooring contractor. Not a painter who does floors and plumbing..
• Unlicensed contractors are not an option. In California contractors must be licensed and bonded. You can find that information on the California State License Boards website. Note that bonded does not mean insured. Make sure the name on the license matches the person you are hiring.
• Licensed does not mean good! It just means that the company is legal.
• Read online reviews about the companies you consider hiring. Log onto their websites as well. You can get a very good idea about a company just from doing so.
• Ask your local floor supply store for referrals. They would usually give you three or more names of contractors they think are great.
• Ask your coworkers, friends, family and neighbors for referrals. Again, those contractors made your friends happy. Remember you don’t have the same standard as other people. So, it could be that your neighbor was absolutely happy with the work. Yet, you think otherwise.
• When asking for referrals remember that you need a contractor who can handle the job you have. If they did a small oak repair at your friend’s house it does not mean that they can handle your parquet and inlay floor.
• Now that you’ve gathered a few names time to contact them for a face to face interview.
• Do not schedule more than one contractor at a time.
• Be there on time. Have a note pad to write on and your list of questions.
• Be respectful and thorough. Listen to what the person has to say. If you have a question or care to challenge them now is the time.
• Do not challenge your contractors because you went on Google at night and now you know their trade better than them. Challenge them as a mean of an educated professional discussion.
• Price: the biggest misconception about this is that you should never hire the cheapest or the most expensive person. That is wrong. It depends on whom you interview. It could be that you interviewed two cheap and not so great contractors and one that is so great and gave you a fair price.
• Prices change dramatically depending on the services provided and the materials used. Just because you contractors said he was going to put urethane on the floor does not mean it is a good product. So if one quoted you on a quality finish and the other didn’t how would you know?
• When hiring a contractor you hire a person for a short term professional relationship. Hire people you feel comfortable with.
• Ask for their last few job referrals. Not just any names. If they are great and reputable they should be able to give you any name from any time in the past. Not just the ones they chose. Could be that they only have three referrals from five hundred jobs.

My list can go on forever but I think you got the idea. Most importantly once you hire someone treat them like a professional. Don’t micro-manage them, they are great contractors. Isn’t that the reason you hired them?