Contractors are only going to give references of people that were pleased with their work- you might want to ask the reference how they heard about the contractor. Depending on the scope of project you may want to have a lawyer review the contract. Prior to accepting a contract, ask to see a copy of the contractor's certificate of insurance to be sure they have workman's compensation and other liability insurance. Payments Once hired, contractors need a percentage of the cost of the project to purchase supplies, order appliance and pay for permits and other construction costs. Many contractors set up a payment schedule which requires payments to be made at set times or as the actual work gets completed.
Some contractors prefer to link the payment schedule to inspections.
Payment is then made after the job passes certain specified inspections. It is important to hold the final payment for the project until all aspects of the contract are fulfilled. If the contractor is responsible for calling for inspections, request copies of final inspections certificates prior to issuing payment. Complaints The County Offices of Consumer Affairs are equipped to help you resolve complaints against contractors. You will need to contact the office located within the contractor's County.