Top 5 ways to avoid being a home horror story - 01

• Have a trusted professional for your home, like you have a family doctor-Have a family contractor because in an emergency you are vulnerable to being taken advantage of...use professional associations like NARI or UHA (United Handyman Association).
• Do your due diligence if remodeling, building or repairing...just because you like someone and they are saying all the right things does not mean you shouldn't check their references, licensing, insurance and bonding Through the state license board you can find out if they are licensed, insured/ bonded and if there are any complaints against them. Check with their former clients, see their work. Make sure there suppliers are getting paid. They will know if a contractor has left a string of unhappy clients.
• Have things in writing: the contract, the job specifics, the payment schedule (make sure it coincides with landmarks in the project) never give anyone more than $1000.00 or 10% of total project (whichever is less in California) and make sure there is a final payment owing (I usually do the same as the deposit) to be due upon final walk through after punch list.
• Take out permits- check with your city to see if permits are needed for your project. They are for everyone's protection and were created to assure an average standard for the work to be done and for your safety. They serve as a record and they serve as Quality Assurance.
• If a price is too good to be true it probably is...and don't change your mind these two items will help you to maintain a realistic budget and keep to your schedule.