Below are some tips in choosing a good contractor:

Ask to see their contractor's license.
To make sure that they have the right license, call your local building department, mayor, city manager, or county executive's office.

Ask the contractor for references and call the references.
Ask former clients what type of work was done.

Ask if the previous jobs were completed in a timely manner and on budget.

Ask their past clients if they would use that contractor again.
Ask their past clients if the contractor maintained a clean and safe work area and whether its workmen showed up when scheduled.

Find out what kind of insurance the contractor has
--including worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability insurance. This is required by the state. If they don't have the proper insurance, you (the customer) could be liable for injuries on the job and you could be sued if anyone is hurt while on the job.

Look over the Contract carefully.
Before you sign anything, including a bid, make sure you agree to all the terms.

Contracts should include everything that has been agreed to by both of you.
Make sure that contract includes the type and the brand name of materials to be used. This will help protect you from the substitution of inferior quality materials.

Once the contract is signed, keep a file on the home improvement job, including contracts, changer orders, plans and specifications, bills and invoices, canceled checks, and any other correspondence between you and the contractor, or subcontractors.

Before you write a check to the contractor, make sure that everything you are paying for was listed in the contract that you signed.

Before you sign off on the job as satisfactory, walk through the job and make sure everything was done that was stated on the contract that would be done.

If you do not make sure you are dealing with a reputable contractor, you could end up paying for costly repairs.

It is your home and your money so it is important to be careful in choosing your contractor wisely.