Hiring from craigslist?
I am staring renovations on a property this weekend.
It's only a 1400 sq ft house in good shape and requires cosmetic fixers.
I'm planning to rip up the lino and carpet and install tiles and repaint the entire interior and exterior.
I'm planning to be very hands on. I would like to hire guys off craigslist and put them to work. I will pay cash at the end of the day for their work. I know in this economy I will get lots of bites, I'm just wondering if people can offer advice on how to screen people, apart from the usual "be careful'.
The tilers I will be very picky with as that's an important job which can be stuffed up by someone who is incompetent. So I will be requesting photos of recent work and contactable references and even ask if I can view some of their recent jobs in person.
The painters I don't think I need to be too scrupulous about and will just ask about their experience and for 2 references I can contact.
I plan to bargain shop and buy all the materials and equipment myself.
Has anyone ever run a project in this fashion? Are there any red flags I should look out for?