Angie's LIST Guide to
Contractors
A homeowner's guide to contractors, including how to evaluate and hire a contractor, what to do before signing a contract, and how to work effectively with the contractor to make your project successful.
A homeowner's guide to contractors, including how to evaluate and hire a contractor, what to do before signing a contract, and how to work effectively with the contractor to make your project successful.
Top Topics
Contracting Quick Tips
If you are unsatisfied with a contractor's work and can't come to an agreement, Angie's List may be able to help through our Complaint Resolution Process.
Find out more about Complaint Resolution
The working relationship between a homeowner and the contractor is key to the success of a major project.
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Answers
Ask a question on any topic covered by Angie's List and see responses from expert service providers and other homeowners with advice to share. Most popular contractors questions:
- My plywood soffits are delaminating and the fascia boards are wet. There is no drip edge. Can one be installed under existing shingles?
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- Is there a company that weeds a flower bed and plant flowers at a reasonable rate?
Videos
Hiring a contractor
A contractor may be a single workman or one who organizes a parade of subcontractors.
To get the best estimate for your project, and not simply the cheapest, do your homework and evaluate at least three proposals.
Each year, the Angie's List Magazine staff evaluates reviews and records to list the top ten best and worst contractors in major cities across the U.S.
Most people are honest, but those few who are not can do a lot of damage. Follow these tips to make sure you don't get taken in by a con-man posing as a legitimate contractor.
Licensed, bonded & insured
Accidents can happen on a work site, so make sure those you hire are insured to protect themselves and you.
Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors take a financial and legal risk. Learn how licensing works and how to check contractor licenses in your state.
If a contractor is bonded, the homeowner is better protected if the contractor does a poor job or fails to pay for materials or subcontractors. Learn how to find out if a contractor is bonded.
Legitimate contractors carry insurance to cover accidents that may happen on the work site. If the contractor is not insured, that burden would fall to the homeowner's insurance.
Signing a contract
Make sure you read every line of a contract before signing your name.
Every time you sign your name during a transaction or click "I agree" online you are entering into a contract. Are you paying attention to what you are signing?
Here is a review of some of the standard items you may see in a contract with a repairman or remodeling contractor.
Tips on what to check before you take the final step of signing off on a contract for a major work project.
Working with contractors
It's important to have a good working relationship and effective communication with your contractor.
Understand how the contractor's job works, which legal and financial responsibilities belong to the contractor, and how he or she makes a profit.
Although any service professional you hire is a contractor, a general contractor manages large jobs like remodeling a kitchen in which multiple subcontractors may be involved.
You're the contractor's boss, but you don't have as much experience doing this. Make sure you understand your responsibilities.
Resolving disputes with contractors
Angie's List casemanagers work to resolve conflicts between members and service providers.
You may think you already know how to do this, but if you want to resolve the problem and not just vent, follow these tips.
One of the benefits of membership is the Angie's List "Complaint Resolution Process" in which an Angie's List caseworker will contact the service provider and attempt to work out a resolution to the dispute.
When a homeowner and a contractor can't come to a resolution of a dispute, legal action may be the only recourse. This can be expensive, so homeowners need to weigh the cost against the amount they hope to recover.