Every homeowner at some point and time will need to have some type of work done on their home. Finding an honest and qualified contractor can be very difficult, stressful and sometimes a costly experience. Home improvement fraud ranks in the top 5 complaints according to the Attorney General's Office. That is why it is very important to protect yourself as well as others from being conned. Preventing this is a matter of just being informed. Knowing what questions to ask a contractor is priceless!

Home repair and improvement is a process you may not be familiar with until it becomes time to engage in a project on your home. There's a lot of information to learn about which products to use and what procedures best meet your individual needs. Because of this lack of knowledge, homeowners can easily be taken advantage of by people calling themselves home improvement contractors. To protect yourself it's vital to know that you can rely on the contractor you choose to give you good advice about those products and procedures that may be new to you. The key is to find the right contractor to do the right job.

Here are a few things to consider:

1. Make sure the contractor is properly licensed to perform the needed task. For example, if the contractor is going to do electrical work, make sure he or she is licensed to do the job. If someone does not know what they are doing, especially when it comes to electrical work, the consequences can be very hazardous to you and your family. Also make sure your contractor carries personal liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and property damage insurance. If a contractor does not carry all the insurance coverage listed, you could wind up paying not only for the work, but also for any injuries sustained on the job and damage to your home.
2. Ask the contractor for references of other jobs he or she has done. You can also find out the company name of the contractor and look up the business name in the Better Business Bureau. Another good resource is to verify your builder is registered with The Texas Residential Construction Commision. Get other estimates and recommendations form other licensed contractors especially those known by family, friends, coworkers or others you trust who've recently experienced a satisfactory home improvement job.
3. Get a written contract that discusses the jobs to accomplish, the materials needed, the time period to complete the job, the estimated price, and any other job requirements.