Start by talking to your friends and coworkers. Look for remodeling project signs in your neighborhood and don’t be afraid to talk to your neighbors. Most people are thrilled at the opportunity to discuss their project.
No matter how you hear about a contractor, be sure to call the Construction Contractors Board at 503-378-4621 to be sure the contractor is currently registered and does not have a record of judgments or orders against him.
Only consider contractors with an established business in your area. Corvallis is a small town and local remodelers are compelled to perform satisfactory work for their business to survive.
Ask for references and follow up by asking the clients open ended questions on subjects such as timely completion, cleanliness, sensitivity to pets, security, and communication. Some people don’t call references because they think a contractor will only give out good ones. But it is easy to hear the difference in tone of a client who gives a glowing report and one who is simply satisfied.
The level of quality and service from one contractor to the next can vary widely. You can easily narrow the playing field by taking the above steps. Everyone has heard construction horror stories.
Do your homework to insure that their suffering doesn’t become part of your reality. With a little research you’ll quickly glean a contractor that outshines the rest.