Always request to see a copy of their insurance certificate. Be wary of companies that are considerably lower than their competitors. They may not carry liability or workman's comp, and thus, do not have to incorporate that into their prices. You always want to make sure you are protected in the event of an accident in your home.

A contractor should be willing to provide you references of recent jobs, and, of jobs that were completed some time ago so you can see how their work as aged. You may want to request references in your area so you can see the work for yourself, as often, a homeowner will be so proud of their new look that they'll be more than willing to show it off.

Make sure that the contractor has been around for a while. You want to make sure that the company will be around for years to come in the event that touch ups or anything that may arise can be addressed in your home. The longer a contractor has been in business can also say a lot about their quality of work. If they've been around for 15+ years, they must be doing something right!

A reputable contractor shouldn't have to use your money to buy materials to start your job. Keep in mind that there are cases where homeowners are swindled out of that initial payment, never to hear from their contractor again. We stress to research the contractor's history and methods to insure you are making an informed decision when choosing somebody to work on your biggest investment.