What criteria should I be using to hire a contractor for some work that needs to be done on our home? Internet searches have left me no ideas about who is the best qualified.

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Ron Marshall, Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire (Marshall Enterprises)

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Rainmaker
5,113,121

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I ask for referals from my pickiest clients and colleagues about whom to use.

Jan 05, 2015 08:03 PM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
863,304

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho

Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID

North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

I can not think of a better reference than what a "decent" Real Estate agent can offer. If they are doing any work at all they need a solid base of home repair. Something tells me you must know a reliable agent or two in your area.

Jan 05, 2015 02:14 PM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
475,692

Bill Dandridge

MKB, Realtors - Roanoke, VA

GREEN, ABR, GRI, EcoBroker

Talk to friends in your neighborhood that have had a renovation recently is one idea. Another is to invite contractors over to show you their past work, and to provide references.

Jan 05, 2015 10:06 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
4,800,132

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Many Realtors have a list of preferred vendors. I would try to find one of these and then check references.

Jan 05, 2015 08:46 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
3,988,013

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Check Angie's List and Yelp. Also the BBB has a data base of complaints and companies in good standing. Once you find a few good ones ask for referneces from the last year. And make sure they are licensed and insured.

Jan 05, 2015 08:13 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
7,864,157

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Make sure they are licensed and check the references. It is easy to get burned even when you take great care.

Jan 05, 2015 06:18 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
5,772,587

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

When it comes to contractors, I like to have people we trust to refer me to someone they were satisfied with. Angie's list works in some markets and doen't in our area. Your home is your sanctuary, and it important in our opinion to find someone who will treat it as such...also make sure they have all the insurances required by your state, city, etc.

Jan 05, 2015 04:49 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Ambassador
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John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

You may want to contact my son at Chad@chadofalltrades.com. He may have a suggestion for you.

Jan 05, 2015 04:24 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
2,817,727

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I would strongly recommend checking Angie's list (online). You need to pay for a membership, but it's low and you can just join for 1 month. You can see reviews of good and bad contractors. Generally those using Angie's List are higher quality/more reliable since they value customer service and know good reviews will help and bad reviews will hurt them.

I would also ask friend and realtors as well as any other contractors that you have worked with. For example, I often know other contractors that do work on the interior (e.g. painting, plumbing, electrician, cabinets, window treatments, decorators).

Jan 05, 2015 04:24 AM

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Ron Marshall

Saint Michael, MN

Rainmaker
4,319,773

Praful Thakkar

LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA

Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Get few quotes and don't forget to ask where else he/she worked.

May 18, 2018 10:05 PM

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Rainer
279,878

Dipti Thakkar

LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA

On a team with Praful Thakkar

Testimonials.

May 17, 2018 10:47 PM

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Rainmaker
630,251

Ajay Pandya

e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH

Realtor Ajay Pandya

Get few quotes before you hire any one.

Jan 08, 2018 04:22 PM

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Ambassador
6,418,755

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Clarify your goal, the criteria for success, interview several people to determine who can accomplish this successfully.

And check on their prior work.

Oct 30, 2017 10:08 PM

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Rainmaker
3,071,489

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers

Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ

Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Nina nailed this one!

Apr 29, 2017 04:25 AM

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Rainmaker
927,795

Ron Marshall

Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN

Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I don't have clients to reference, but that would be a great resource. I think I have found one or two to at least check out. Thanks for your help, but keep those answers coming in case these don't work out!

Jan 07, 2015 08:50 AM

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Rainmaker
927,795

Ron Marshall

Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN

Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I am going to check out Angie's list, or maybe find someone who has a subscription. I know several realtors, but none could recommend someone right off the bat for what we need to have done.

Jan 05, 2015 05:11 AM

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I ask for referals from my pickiest clients and colleagues about whom to use.
I can not think of a better reference than what a "decent" Real Estate agent can offer. If they are doing any work at all they need a solid base of home repair. Something tells me you must know a reliable agent or two in your area.
Talk to friends in your neighborhood that have had a renovation recently is one idea. Another is to invite contractors over to show you their past work, and to provide references.
Many Realtors have a list of preferred vendors. I would try to find one of these and then check references.
Check Angie's List and Yelp. Also the BBB has a data base of complaints and companies in good standing. Once you find a few good ones ask for referneces from the last year. And make sure they are licensed and insured.
Make sure they are licensed and check the references. It is easy to get burned even when you take great care.
When it comes to contractors, I like to have people we trust to refer me to someone they were satisfied with. Angie's list works in some markets and doen't in our area. Your home is your sanctuary, and it important in our opinion to find someone who will treat it as such...also make sure they have all the insurances required by your state, city, etc.
You may want to contact my son at Chad@chadofalltrades.com. He may have a suggestion for you.
I would strongly recommend checking Angie's list (online). You need to pay for a membership, but it's low and you can just join for 1 month. You can see reviews of good and bad contractors. Generally those using Angie's List are higher quality/more reliable since they value customer service and know good reviews will help and bad reviews will hurt them.

I would also ask friend and realtors as well as any other contractors that you have worked with. For example, I often know other contractors that do work on the interior (e.g. painting, plumbing, electrician, cabinets, window treatments, decorators).
Get few quotes and don't forget to ask where else he/she worked.
Clarify your goal, the criteria for success, interview several people to determine who can accomplish this successfully.

And check on their prior work.
I don't have clients to reference, but that would be a great resource. I think I have found one or two to at least check out. Thanks for your help, but keep those answers coming in case these don't work out!
I am going to check out Angie's list, or maybe find someone who has a subscription. I know several realtors, but none could recommend someone right off the bat for what we need to have done.