Six checks before you hire a contractor

A good price means nothing without these six checks.

Before you sign: look up the license yourself on your state board's website and match the number on the bid. Ask for the insurance certificate (general liability and workers' comp) sent by their agent, with current dates. Call 3 references from recent jobs like yours. Make sure the contractor pulls the permit in their own name. Get scope, schedule and payments in a written contract, and never pay cash or a big deposit up front.