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Question
ok my mom is getting some work done upstairs in 3 bedrooms.i have seen contractor after contractor.how do i find one that is honest and not gona rip u off.we had some work done before on her house and we will never call those contractors again cause the were dishonest and basically lied to u .friends and family haven't used a contractor in a long time so they cant refer us,so what can i do to find a good honest,and good quality work contractor.i live in Chicago Illinois
Michelle,
Unfortunately, this type of thing happens a lot and gives the industry a bad rap.
You can check for contractors on Angies List, here is a link to that, http://www.angieslist.com/Angieslist/ or you can call your local BBB office to see if they have any recommendations.
I would start in the phone book and look for ones who have been in business for a long time, that usually is a good sign of dependability and honest work. You might ask at Church also, I don't advertise my construction company and I only accept clients who are referred to me from past clients, this works very well for me and the clients.
Just make sure you get three or four contractors to come and give you an estimate, also check ALL their references, it is very important to call ALL of their references, check their licenses (if applicable in your state, my state doesn't have a license), check their insurance.
If they ask for money before the job is started, DON'T USE THEM.
If they are not stable enough to buy the materials up front, they are not stable enough to do your work.
Finally, you can check for complaints against your contractor at the BBB and your states' Attorney General's office.
Good Luck with your search, I hope your Mom likes the new bedrooms.
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Answers by Expert:
Bill Hutson
Expertise
Founder and President of Table Talk Foundation for Better Living Inc. a non-profit organization aimed at making free home repairs for the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. I have extensive expertise pertaining to cost effective rehabilitation and repair in older homes as well as all phases of newer residential construction.
Experience
Remodel and rehab contractor from 1979 to 1993 specializing in restaurant remodel and home restoration.
Jobsite troubleshooter assisting residential contractors through KA Components, Mid America Truss, and Kerkhoff Associates from 1993 until 2002. Contractors' consultant 1990 to present. Used as a construction expert in the local court system. Registered contractor with The Fedral Government, FEMA and several insurance companies. Master Carpenter at Table Talk Ministries a non-profit organization aimed at making free home repairs for those who could not ohterwise afford to have them done.
Organizations
Table Talk Foundation for Better Living Inc.
www.tabletalkministries.org
Founder/President.
Publications
Features have been published in
Fleet Owner's Magazine,
Trucker's News Magazine,
The Daily Clintonian Newspaper,
The Hoosier Topics Newspaper, and The Banner Graphic Newspaper several times.
We have also done features on WKJK and WREB radio stations.
WXIN 59 Indianapolis,
WTHI 10 Terre Haute
Education/Credentials
Northwestern State University
Awards and Honors
"Make a Difference Award" from
WTHI channel 10 in Terre Haute Indiana.
We have recently received the Fueling Good prize from Citgo where we won free gas for a year,
that will help us in our efforts to make homes warm, safe and dry for our elderly and disabled neighbors.
We were recently featured on WXIN 59 in Indianapolis on their "Paying it Forward" segment, mainly because I pay for 90% of the repairs that Table Talk makes from my own pocket.
Past/Present Clients
We focus our attention to the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged.
We are receiving clients from 1 Federal and 5 State Agencies,
9 different public and private organizations plus multiple churches and hospitals.
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