Best way to find a good contractor?

Posted by ythread on July 15, 2007, 8:23 am

I have some jobs to do around my house.
Gutters
Siding
Windows/Doors
What is the best way to find good help?
I live in Central TX and I've tried calling companies and having them come
out for bids but then they just dissappear.
I looked at Angie's list but at $70/year is it worth it?
Thanks in advance.
Jim

Posted by Steve on July 15, 2007, 8:38 am

alt.home.repair:
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Your best bet is to ask your friends who they use. You can also check with
your church -- they sometimes keep lists for referrals.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on July 15, 2007, 9:53 am

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In addition. go to your local lumber yard or hardware store. They often
have business cards on display of the businesses they supply. Not quite a
reference, but a starting point so you can ask about them.

Posted by dpb on July 15, 2007, 12:03 pm

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
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I agree...the "real" building suppliers -- full-service lumber yards,
plumbing/electrical/hvac distributors, etc., are a good resource for
finding them. The box stores, etc., not so much...
Most counter guys (other than the HS football players on their summer
weight program) will know those they deal with regularly well enough to
tell you who you might want to steer away from.

Posted by Toller on July 15, 2007, 11:25 am

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Obviously you have to get recommendations from people who have used them.
If you are new to town, etc. that might be difficult.
But I have found that a large percentage of contractors aren't any good.
Not that they are thieves, more like their notion of what is right doesn't
correspond to the human version. I have had to sue two contractors that
came highly recommended, and threaten three more. I expect most people
would just have taken the losses, but I also sued two auto shops. Won them
all. (sadly, I thought two of them were pretty good until their shoddy work
surfaced years later and they claimed their written warranties didn't
actually mean anything)
Crazy thing is, I have actually told several of them that I have a long
record of suing for improper work, and they assured me it wouldn't happen
with them. One even brought my warning up in court to show what a nut I
was. The judge asked him why he didn't take the warning seriously.
If you just call people off bulletin board or the phone book you will
probably have even worse luck.
Sorry I can't be more helpful, but it is just not a good situation.

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