How to investigate a contractor before hiring them

Question

I am working on a rental property rehab and I need to get some cheap contractors. I was going to start looking on craigslist, but I want to make sure I get a quality contractor who will do good work. How do you check out the contractors you are considering hiring before moving forward with them? In the past I checked out some by giving several contractors small jobs to do for a rehab and then seeing how they did at that to determine who got more work.

Geoffrey Murphy · Answer

I agree 100% aaron. Word of mouth would be the best way to go. I was told to try places like home depot or your local hardware store but im not actually sure about it. Maybe someone can chime in

Carole M. · Answer

#1 Make sure they have Insurance and add you as Additional Insured.
#2 Check references if all possible 
#3 Get a copy of Insurance Certificte prior to having them on premises for the job.
#4 Have some professional inspect the job upon completion
# Licensed with local municipality.  This insured that they are bonded and insured as well.

I learned the hard way, I did ask for Ins Cert with AI and he said YES, then he pushed the date up by one day and I did not have Ins Cert at that time.   Job completed, he refused to give Ins Cert because job was done.   In short, the job done was substandard and I wound up taking him to court and having roof redone by another contractor who was RECOMMENDED by an attorney I knew.

Stanley Crawford · Answer

# 1  Google them

# 2  Stay on site as much as you can,Be as involved as you can.

Curt Davis · Answer

Well you should make sure your hiring a contractor who is licensed, insured and bonded.  Good chances are the guys on Craigslist are not but some will be.  If your looking for cheap work like you stated then why do you care to investigate them?  Just go to Angieslist.com, you can review feedback left by clients.

Aaron McGinnis · Answer

You say you want a cheap contractor.

Then you say you want a quality contractor.

Which one is it? You pay for quality... and craigslist isn't the place to find good contractors. You get GOOD contractors from word of mouth referrals.

Sharad M. · Answer

Kyle,

Have you asked other investors in your area who they use? They should be able to guide you to a reliable and reasonable contractor.