Hiring & Planning
Tips for Selecting a Home Improvement Contractor
By Mass. State Consumer Affairs Office
Feb 1, 2005, 10:45

1. Spend time thinking about the specific design and materials you want. You should clearly describe the work you want done in a specification sheet and floor plan for potential contractors. When all contractors who bid on a job work from the same design description, there is more likely to be a complete and accurate bidding process.
2. Obtain recommendations from consumers who have had similar work done on their homes, or from professional trade associations.
3. Interview at least three contractors and request a written, detailed estimate. Ask for explanations for price variations. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder.
4. Hire only registered or registered and licensed contractors. Check with the Board of Building Regulations and Standards to make sure that the contractor or subcontractor you hire is currently registered with the state, and has an appropriate license, if necessary.
5. Confirm three references for each contractor. Ask the contractor for a written list of his/her three most recent projects with names, telephone numbers and addresses of the owners. Contact the other homeowners who have hired the contractor and find out if they have had any problems.
6. Check the contractor’s complaint history with the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. You can contact Consumer Affairs to find out if there have been arbitration cases or Guaranty Fund cases filed against the contractor. The Board of Building Regulations and Standards tracks disciplinary actions against registered contractors.
7. Ensure that the contractor has adequate personal liability, property damage and worker’s compensation insurance. Ask to see a copy of the certificates of insurance and verify that they are current. Otherwise, you may be liable for any injuries and damages that occur during the project.