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7 tips for hiring the best contractor

A good contractor is hard to find
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Contractor holding hard hat and blueprint

The hardest part of a home renovation might be finding the right contractor.

Often getting the best one for your home -- the true pro who shows up and delivers quality work on time and on budget -- depends on doing some serious screening before the job starts, says Mike Holmes, professional contractor and host of HGTV's "Holmes on Homes."

And that could be one area where a lot of homeowners fall short. "I don't think people try half as hard as they should," he says.

Too many times, he says, enthusiastic homeowners hire the first person they interview. "They get so excited that they made the commitment (to do the renovation or upgrade), that they forget the job they have in front of them," he says.

"One thing I've learned: It will take you longer to find the right contractor and check out the job, than to do the job," he says.

To make it a little easier, here are seven pro tips for getting the right contractor for your next home addition, upgrade or renovation.


 

 

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