You've heard the horror stories about friends, family members and neighbors who picked the wrong contractor. How can you avoid making the same mistake?
Hiring a contractor can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. There are interviews to conduct, bids to review and references to check. This is an important decision, however. Don't move ahead with hiring someone without doing your homework.

Initial Screening

Start by talking with people you know and trust. Ask friends, neighbors and business acquaintances for referrals -- and for names of contractors to avoid! Also try:

• the Better Business Bureau
• your local building department
• a trade group, such as The National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the National Association of Home Builders.

Investigate

Even if a contractor comes with rave reviews, do your own investigating. Start by:

• talking with three or four contractors
• narrowing down the scope of work
• getting detailed estimates
• checking references

Reviewing the bids

Ideally you should ask three contractors to bid on your project. Whether using an architect or preparing the bid guidelines yourself, be specific about what types of materials you want to use. This will save you the aggravation of trying to compare estimates for Brand A with Brand B and Brand C.

There are many variables that affect a contractor's price. The type of material, the complexity of the installation, and whether the product is a special order will help guide the price. You also may be paying for the privilege of hiring the contractor who is the most expensive in your area.

Check References

Ask questions on the telephone to help weed out the contractors who are not right for you. Ask about the contractor's business structure.

• Where is the office location? (Make sure it's not a mail drop box.)
• How long has the company been in business?
• Has the ownership changed?
• Has the company been in bankruptcy?
• Is the business a member of the Chamber of Commerce or other business groups?

Also ask about the contractor's expertise. A finish carpenter has different skills than a tile layer or a painter or an electrician. Look for someone who has skills that match your project.

As you ask questions, take note of how the contractor responds.

• Does he answer freely or hesitate?
• Is his tone friendly or combative?
• Are telephone calls returned within a reasonable timeframe?
• Is the proposal professional or is it scrawled out on the back of a business card?

Talking to references

Whenever possible, visit the references. Ask for details about how the job was performed, whether there were any problems and, if so, how they were resolved.

Unforeseen problems can occur in any remodeling project. Mistakes happen, too. It's important to know how a contractor will respond. Did he notify customers immediately and suggest ways to repair the project? Did he give them options and advice?

Ask the contractor for the name of the last person who was unsatisfied and find out if the situation was resolved satisfactorily.

Go With Your Instincts

After all the background checks are complete, pause for a little reflection. Do you feel more comfortable with one contractor than another? Do you have a nagging feeling that something is just not right with another?

Use the information you've gathered to weed out the ones who are not right for you. Don't be afraid to trust your instincts. The factual information you gathered may validate what you've felt all along.

Look ahead to that fateful day when you'll rise before dawn to say good-bye to that retro kitchen. When you hear footsteps approaching the front door, do you react with excitement or dread?

Your answer will determine how well you've prepared for this moment.