Having clear plans in advance means that you are less likely to change your whole approach halfway through the job, which will increase your costs. How To Hire A Contractor, Contracts and Dispute Resolution Basic steps to follow when hiring a contractor Investigate references. Request several references, and then check them out. Inspect the work quality. Ask if the project came in on time, if the bid costs were close to the final cost, and if the contractor was easy to work with.
Bids are important.
Get at least three bids on your project. When the contractors look at the project, have in mind clearly what you want to do, but listen to their input. Experienced contractors can often point out overlooked and unforeseen problems. Weigh your options. Do not necessarily accept the lowest bid.