Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor

by R. Dodge Woodson

There are plenty of do-it-yourself books on the market, but sound information about hiring and working with home improvement specialists is hard to come by. Written for homeowners who are hiring pros for large-scale home improvement, remodeling, and maintenance jobs, these titles feature visually appealing, easy-to-read layouts, and are packed with sidebars and callouts of special advice on how to hire a contractor. Written by an author who is a licensed...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071445846
• ISBN13: 9780071445849
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Read this book before remodeling your home!

I'm so glad I got a chance to read this informative book before starting the renovation of our home! The author is clearly an expert in this field and goes into detail in every aspect of the process, with the bottom line of making the consumer a savvy, discerning shopper. The author covers all angles of the contracting process, from making the plans and specifications, to hiring a contractor, to what forms are needed to be filled out. I learned about how to spot a shady contractor; how to get things in writing - especially specific time frames; how to make sure the contractor has a physical address and telephone number, and much, much, more. The eye-opener of this book was the lien waiver. Unbeknownst to me, if a disagreement occurs with a contractor, and I do not pay, they can place a lien on the property! The lien waiver releases the property from the threat of a lien. The author has a sample copy of what a lien waiver looks like. This book is a must for any homeowner thinking of remodeling/renovating their home! I recommend it highly.

An excellent guide to handling contractors

Avoid falling prey to unscrupulous contractors with a guide authored by a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many other titles on the topic. Tips & Traps For Hiring A Contractor: Expert Advice On Hiring A Contractor Without Getting Taken covers all the basics, from the initial screening of home-improvement professionals to eliminating the bad ones before signing anything, negotiating effectively, understanding contracts and agreements, and even understanding design, planning and maintenance options. An excellent guide to handling contractors, no matter what the job.