• Select a contractor you can trust.paint rollers image by Wayne Abraham from Fotolia.com
  
  Remodeling is a potentially pricey and extensive endeavor. Depending upon the nature of your project, you may be working with your selected contractor of a long time and trusting this professional to watch out for your financial bottom line. To ensure that your trust is well-placed and your relationship with your contractor a positive one, put effort into choosing the right person for the job before you tackle a project.
  
  

Local Loyalty

• The National Association of the Remodeling Industry suggests individuals planning a home improvement project opt for a local contractor. Local contractors have more to lose than those who work with national corporations, reports the association. Because of the tenuous nature of their small businesses, local contractors are more apt to strive to please clients; they know customer opinions and referrals can determine whether their business thrives or fails.
  
  

Bid Fine Print

• Many remodelers mistakenly go with the lowest contractor bid, failing to take a close look at the fine print. Before deciding which contractor to intrust with your project, carefully inspect each bid, looking at more than just the total cost figure. As the Private-Public Partnership for Advanced Housing Technology reports, some bids may be lower because they use of low-cost materials. If you plan on using upgraded materials, your final cost may be much higher; a bid that initially seemed higher may turn out to be the more economical choice.
  
  

Contractor Insurance

• All reputable contractors carry insurance, reports the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Before settling on a contractor, ask to see his certification of insurance. By ensuring that the contractor that you plan to select is covered by an insurance plan you safeguard yourself and avoid unforeseen expenses.
  
  

Customer References

• Ask potential contractors for customer references. Call these individuals to get their opinion of each contractor's professionalism and skill. Former customers can tell you firsthand what working with the contractor was like and their opinions may prove invaluable in your decision-making process.
  
  

Business Monitoring Agencies

• Consult agencies designed to maintain information on business reputability, such as the Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau. Inquire as to whether the contractor in question has ever had any complaints lodged again him. If he has, look into the nature of the complaint to determine whether he is an individual with whom you are comfortable working.