Finding the right company to perform your installation or repair job doesn't have to be an overwhelming task if you follow a few important steps. This piece of information is designed to get you started in the right direction.

Step One: Search for a contractor you can trust.
Don't hesitate to research a company's reputation. Many contractors in business three years ago are no longer in business today - and many in business today will not be in business three years from now. Try these resources:

     · Referrals from personal or business 
           associates 
     · References of past customers 
     · Better Business Bureau 
     · Chambers of Commerce 
     · Trade associations 
     · Local licensing authorities

     · How long has the company been in business? 
     · Do they perform many of the same projects as yours? 
     · Can you reach the contractor from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday? 
     · Does the company have a STREET address and not only a post office box? 
     · How long have they been at this location?

Step Two: Consider product knowledge and professionalism.
If the contractor isn't experienced, doesn't take pride in his work, or can't answer your questions thoroughly from the start, chances are you won't be happy with the finished results. Ask yourself these questions during your interviewing process:

          · What is your initial impression of the company representative you are in contact with?
                    What kind of company image is he or she portraying? Are they professional in 
                   appearance and behavior? Is this person enthusiastic, straight forward and
                    competent? 
          · Is the contractor providing you sound information on materials being used? What is the
                    quality of these materials? 
          · What are the company's on-site procedures? 
          · Are all your questions being answered in a timely manner? 
          · What kind of follow-up have you received during your selection process? Also, keep
                    this in mind: Selecting the best products is as important to your job as selecting the
                    right contractor.

Step Three: Check insurance coverage, safety policies and licensing.
An uninsured or partially insured contractor can cost you thousands of dollars in the case of accident or property damage. The best contractor is one that is fully insured and practices good safety procedures. Request certificates of insurance and call to verify the following:

          · Worker's Compensation Coverage 
          · General Liability Insurance 
          · COMPLETED OPERATIONS Insurance - Liability insurance only covers problems while
                    work is in progress. Completed Operations is a rider on the liability policy that will take 
                    care of problems after a job is finished. 
          · Licensing and Building Permits - these will vary between localities.

Step Four: Beware of extremely low bids.
There are a lot of things a contractor can eliminate or skimp on to reduce the price, but it may not be in your best interest. A low estimate might indicate the following:

          · Minimal or no insurance coverage 
          · Poor, unsupervised workmanship 
          · Low-grade materials

You may need additional ventilation; you may have rotten trim boards; you may need to remove the existing roof; or you may need a better grade material on a low-sloped area. Look for the contractor who is not afraid to give you all the information and then let you decide.

Step Five: Require adequate project supervision.
Most contractors rely strictly on the job-site foreman to be sure the installation is performed correctly. Without supervisors, it is almost impossible for a contractor to consistently provide high quality installations.

Find a contractor that utilizes an additional level of supervision - someone whose job it is to oversee the foreman and crew. Make sure the contractor provides these project inspections on a regular basis.

Step Six: Ask for a complete, detailed, WRITTEN contract.
· Be sure all materials and work are specified.

· Be sure warranty information, terms of payment and a lien release are included.

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