Though this blog is about you doing things around the house yourself sometimes you need a little help with the project you are working on. There are times when it comes to home repairs or improvements, when you find yourself at a loss because you are either unable to complete the needed repairs or you simply do not have the time. Other times it is simply that you need someone to address an aspect of the job that you can’t or don’t want to tackle. In any of these situations, the best thing to do is to hire a professional contractor. Sometimes this is pretty scary with all the horror stories you hear about disreputable contractors taking your money and not doing or botching the job. So, what qualities should you look for in a contractor and how can you be sure that he/she will be the best person for the job? There are some common questions that should be answered prior to hiring a professional contractor.
Below are some tips that will help guide you through the process of selecting the best man, or woman, for the job.
1: Before hiring a contractor, you should find out how long they have been in business. It’s best to look for an established company and make sure to check out their reputation with the local Better Business Bureau for any outstanding or unresolved complaints. Another good resource is checking with the local building supply store to see if they know them or about them.
2: Always make sure that the contractor is licensed to do the work. The best way to find out about which trades need to be licensed in your area is to contact your local building department and/or consumer protection agency. If you require a licensed contractor, don’t hesitate to ask to see the contractor’s license prior to hiring him/her for the job.
3: Ask for a list of recently completed projects that they have done that are similar to the one you are planning. Hiring a contractor who has some experience in the type of project you want done will help to ensure that things will go smoother and that the job will be done correctly.
4: Always check with the contractor’s references before deciding to hire him/her for your project. This is important for all of the obvious reasons and will give you an idea as to their work ethics and end results.
5: Make sue you ask your contractor, prior to the commencement of work, whether or not the job will require any type of permit. All permits (when required), must be obtained before the actual work begins, or the homeowner may face a fine. Though some homeowners may think they can get away without getting a permit, because they don’t want to pay the fee or they are worried about increased taxes, it is never a good idea. Having the job permitted means it will have to be inspected which means the work will have to be done correctly and to code. This is a type of insurance. It is always best to discuss who will be responsible for obtaining the permits you or the contractor, and I recommend it be the contractor. He best knows the scope of the work and how to deal with the building department (or he should). If he is hesitant I would be hesitant at giving him the job.
6: Always ask for the name of the individual who will be in charge of the project, often called a supervisor, and the names of those who will be working on the construction crew.
7: Once you are familiar with the supervisor, ask him/her about their crew. You need to know and feel comfortable with how trustworthy they are and make the decision as to whether you want them working on/in your home. Will they need keys? Often they do as they need to be free to come and go as they need to and you need to have the freedom to get on with your life. So, you need to know that they are honest and can be trusted near your family and/or children.
8: Every professional contractor should carry a certain amount of insurance coverage, including personal liability, property damage and worker’s compensation. You should request copies of all insurance certificates and confirm that they are current before work begins. Do not do business with a contractor who cannot provide this documentation as this may result in you being held liable for any injuries and/or damages that occur during the project.
9: When you and your contractor come to an agreement on payment terms, get everything in writing and make sure it is signed. You both should retain a copy of the agreement for future reference.
10: Never pay for the job in full until the job is complete and inspected by you or another qualified person, as in the case when a roof is involved and you can’t get up there.
Though most of this should be common sense, when people get excited about a project sometimes common sense seems to go out the window. So before you start talking to contractors make yourself a check list and make sure you run down the list with each possibility.
I have been a contractor for 28 years and many times have had to deal with customers who didn’t do their due diligence and had to pay for their mistake. Most contractors are reputable and seek to do their best for their customers but even there that does not mean there isn’t a better one to do your job. For those few who are willing to make money by being dishonest we all need to protect ourselves.
Sometime people think of a shed as a dull box-like structure, which sits in your backyard and never fits its surroundings. Today Garden Sheds have become more stylish and appealing in their style and variety. Sheds are now made with many different types of material such as cedar, vinyl, laminated polyethylene covers and they even can be made to look like little houses. 
Garden Sheds today come in many different designs from barn look-a-likes to country cottages. Keep in mind it is all about the detail, so find out what kind of options are out there for add-on accessories. Shutters, flower boxes, shelves, functional windows, lofts, and double doors are just a few additions you can think about to customize your shed.
Finally, it is easy to admire a garden shed that is already assembled at the store, but how easy is it to assemble when you bring it home. Assembly is the factor that will make or break a sale; so make sure you ask about how easy it is to construct the shed before you buy. A good choice is to find a shed that is built in sectional panels and uses simple hardware. When using the panels, there is no danger in making wasteful and costly wrong cuts, or the time consuming cutting process. Windows may already be attached to the wall and the shingles could also be attached to the roof panels making it a stress free process.