He should be able to provide intelligent ideas, add creative thinking, and supply you with some good advice. Many times a contractors knowledge and experience may tell him that there is a better, more cost-effective way, to complete the project. This strange person that you hire will be working in and around your home, your family and your most private possessions. You must be able to trust him with your keys and being alone in your house without supervision. It is important that you can trust this person.
Good contractors are never pushy, arrogant, or hard to talk to.
Look for someone that is reasonably relaxed and not in a big rush. Choose someone that is easy to talk to, encourages your ideas and enjoys your input. Always try to maintain an open mind and listen to suggestions, after all it is his trade and business experience that you are really paying for. Get three to five estimates on a major project, two to three for the smaller jobs. Fewer estimates won't properly compare products and prices and anymore than that is unfair to the contractors that take the time to bid.