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Hello

I think it will take some time to get the word out about the site. I think it has the potential to be really good. I currently visit JLC & FHB, every day as do a lot of other contractors & the knolledge seeking diy!

Hope this helps to get things started!

I also regularly visit JLC,FHB, and Remodeling online. This site has good potential. I really like the video idea, although it could be a little more detailed.

We are homeowners trying to get estimates and reliable contractors for home improvement projects. It has been difficult to check the reputations of contractors and even to get them to call back for an estimate. Any suggestions?

Well... my jobsites are all buried under a 12" layer of MUD!!!

I'm officially 2 weeks behind because of all the rain were having in La this winter.

To the Florida Family.Trying to find a good & repituable (sp?)contractor can be very frustrating to say the least! One place that you may want to try if you haven't already is to ask for names at a lumber yard that the pro's use ie. not THE BIG BOX STORES! They do have their place. All things not carpentry lol.The sad thing is I have home owners tell me all the time that the reason they chose the contractor (bad) that they did was because they were the only ones to return their phone calls!
When you do find a contractor be prepaired to wait for the work to get started. Here in MA some contractors are booked 2-3 yrs out on big remodel's. I do small to medium size jobs, and work by myself (quality control lol)I return all calls and i'm booked through the summer and it's only Feb! I hope this helps.Some advice would be FOLLOW YOUR GUT when choosing a contractor & GET EVERY THING IN WRITTING! with out acting pushy.If they seem edgy RUN AWAY.

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Originally posted by FloridaFamily:
We are homeowners trying to get estimates and reliable contractors for home improvement projects. It has been difficult to check the reputations of contractors and even to get them to call back for an estimate. Any suggestions?

I agree with Stephen about "following your gut". But even that is no guarantee as to the honesty and competency of the one you're thinking of dealing with. I met some folks a while back who dealt with a husband and wife biz who they felt GREAT with. But a deck job turned into a deck AND roof job which resulted in a combined total of $25,000 worth of botched junk. After it was all "said and done" they ended up having to chase the guy down to ask why the supporting posts weren't even concreted in place, why the roof warrantee is voided because of the installation, why the roof leaks, and of course...why there's no permits for ANYTHING.

The hardest part for you is going to be finding the right people. You'll need to actively, and maybe exhaustively, research anyone you're considering.

And you might consider forgetting about using anyone who can't at least return your calls to touch base with you. And I'll admit I'VE lost work myself because of that.