To ensure reliability and high-quality work, evaluate contractors against these standards:

: Be cautious if a contractor asks for a large upfront payment to "buy materials"; instead, use a progressive payment schedule tied to completed milestones.

: Request 3 to 5 recent references from projects completed within the last 12 months to verify current work quality.

: Understand whether you or the contractor will be responsible for pulling building permits. 3. Verification and Selection Criteria

Preparing for a Consultation with a Home Renovation Contractor