Finding good referrals

[fortyfeetunder]

I need to have some work done on my house this summer. But I am banging my head against the wall about finding a good, reliable contractor that I can work with.

How can I find good referrals? Is the Better Business Bureau directory a good source? Or who can I talk with?

Thanks y'all

[Longhorn]

1. My husband is a good remodeling contractor.

He doesn't belong to the BBB nor does he advertise, except for sometimes putting a sign on the side of his truck and in front of his jobs. All of his work comes from referrals from customers or from neighbors of a customer who have watched his job progress and decided to call from his sign. He rarely gets cold calls from the phone book. (No ad -- just a business phone listing.)

I'd recommend asking everyone you know. If a friend or co-worker hasn't remodeled, he or she often knows someone who has. Remodeling can be a trying experience so generally, anyone who comes out of it feeling good about his contractor probably used a good contractor!

After you get a few names, meet with each one and see what you think about him or her. Beyond competence, price, and experience, personality conflicts can cause misery for all partners. This is a busy time of year and you may have to be patient. My husband is usually booked up months in advance with a waiting list (except for a lot of last year, thanks to the Idiot Boy's economy!)

Good luck!

[fortyfeetunder]

2. Thanks Longhorn for the insight

I'll tap into the folks at work, and see who knows anyone!!

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Every contractor/repairperson/fixit guy we ever hired

has been from a word-of-mouth recommendation. Our house is in a development of 110 houses, all built in the early 70's by the same builder. There are four basic styles, but enough variation that there's pretty good diversity of style. Under the skin, however, they're all the same. There are a few contractors and repair people who seem to do all the work here. They're equipped to do things efficiently, they know where to get parts, they know how the houses were built (and therefore how to modify them). All but one of the additions built (the biggest projects undertaken around here) were built by a contractor who worked for the original builder and in fact worked on these houses. He's really been the source of most of the other referrals, having brought in electricians and plumbers, etc., who work well with him.

So far, no one feels ripped off and no one feels they got a bad deal or crappy work.

Of late, a few new contractors have started doing work here, but they got in based solely on recommendations from people who know people who used them in the past.

It is coming time that these houses are going to need to be re-sided. I wonder who we'll find for that. Surely it will be based on a recommendation.

[Jersey Devil]

7. Good advice - add this too

Ask the contractors for a list of jobs they've done and then go knock on the peoples' doors and ask them if they were satisfied.

[Digit]

4. My biggest nightmare WAS a referral from BBB

I am not happy with the tile job, nor the painting job he did. Actually, his workers did the job, and you can STILL SEE the mistakes.
It is a long story, but the guy is a nutcase and I am SCARED to report it to BBB.

[fortyfeetunder]

5. Checking out references

Were you able to check out references before starting out on the job?

I swear stories like yours has made looking for a contractor excruciating...

[Digit]

6. He had a list of references...he was a cagey one..

I like to use the ones my neighbors and friends use.
At least then the contractors know unfavorable reports will get back to those who gave the referrals.
My problem may also be that I am a single woman in the south. I seem to piss off the good ol boys because I question too much.

[Warpy]

8. what I do is let my fingers do the walking

and call companies and tell them what I want done, and to submit bids. Most companies are very glad to do this on big jobs, and I've done it for roofing and restucco jobs here.

I toss out any lowball bids because I don't trust them. Most legitimate bids will cluster around the same amount, and I select the lowest of these. I then doublecheck with the BBB to see what complaints have been lodged, and most companies do have at least one. Then I proceed accordingly.

This has worked well for me in finding reputable companies who do good work. I haven't been disappointed.

[fortyfeetunder]

9. Thanks Warpy

The strangest thing is about the word of mouth...and I don't know if it's a geographical thing, but I couldn't get anyone to admit to a referral for what I want done.

I will try your approach and work it from that aspect. Good idea!