A contractor could be in your home and around your family for days, weeks, or even months while changing the way your house looks and functions. So if you don’t like a contractor for any reason, don’t hire him or her, says Tony LaPelusa, president of LaPelusa Home Improvements, Inc., in Niles, Ill., and past president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

“The biggest thing is choosing the right contractor,” he explains. “If somebody says something that’s even an embellishment, it’s enough of a reason not to trust him and move on to the next contractor. You have to trust the contractor 100 percent, not 95 percent.”

If a contractor doesn’t have insurance and a worker gets hurt on your project, you could be liable. The same goes with accidents that damage your next-door neighbor’s home. “If you have scaffolding that fell and damaged the property next door, you want the contractor’s liability to cover the cost of that damage,” LaPelusa says. Get proof of insurance.

3. Pick a contractor who specializes in your project type.

“It’s important to research contractors to know if they have experience in a type of project,” Peterson says. “Today, so many projects are regulated and code-specific that you want someone who knows the details of what’s required.”

He points out that pros often take classes and research the kinds of projects they undertake, so they’re experts in their fields. This enables them to address potential problems and perform the work correctly. “A good remodeler knows how to anticipate the nuances of the work,” he says.

If you’re asking several contractors for a bid, make sure each one is using the same set of plans and specifications, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) advises on its website: “You can’t effectively compare estimates from contractors who plan to use different brands of building materials.”

4. Have a Detailed Contract in Place Before any Work Begins

The contract should cover costs, brands of items being installed, approximate start and finish dates, and the complete set of drawings being used with written specifications, LaPelusa says. “There’s never too much detail in a contract.” If a specific brand for a part hasn’t been agreed upon yet, the contract can include allowances instead, such as “up to $500 for a front door.”

A lot of homeowners talk to multiple contractors to get bids on the job, and then they can’t remember who told them what, LaPelusa says. The contract spells out everything. “A contract is really an expectation setting, right down to what color the hinges are,” Peterson adds. “It’s all about expectations. If we agree on everything upfront, then there are no surprises.”

5. Find out Who’s Performing the Work