Finding a contractor for a small job
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Finding a contractor for a small job
HI,
I have a few small jobs that I want to get done, and I'm curious about how folks find contractors for small jobs.
I do some of my own stuff, but my 10 thumbs can only handle so much.
Right now, I'd like to find somebody to replace a basement window that has some rotting moulding. ( I'd actually hoped to find someone who could redo the sill, but that's either a bad idea, or something that nobody wants to do. )
I also would like to find somebody who would put in the cement pillars to support some deck posts. I have some marginal ground in the deck area, and the ones I did last time didn't last.
So, where do you guys look. My yellow pages (in the 5 phone books I get) seem to mainly offer the big guys.
I used to have some luck in the little weekly papers, but not so much any more.
I've tried on line searching, but it seems to be either big guys or 'services' . When I've tried the 'services' they seemed to have a direct line to the scam artist of the week.
I'm willing to pay decent money for decent work, but I'm having trouble finding people who might do decent work.
I'm in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis area if anybody has any specific advice.
Thanks,
ford2go
I have a few small jobs that I want to get done, and I'm curious about how folks find contractors for small jobs.
I do some of my own stuff, but my 10 thumbs can only handle so much.
Right now, I'd like to find somebody to replace a basement window that has some rotting moulding. ( I'd actually hoped to find someone who could redo the sill, but that's either a bad idea, or something that nobody wants to do. )
I also would like to find somebody who would put in the cement pillars to support some deck posts. I have some marginal ground in the deck area, and the ones I did last time didn't last.
So, where do you guys look. My yellow pages (in the 5 phone books I get) seem to mainly offer the big guys.
I used to have some luck in the little weekly papers, but not so much any more.
I've tried on line searching, but it seems to be either big guys or 'services' . When I've tried the 'services' they seemed to have a direct line to the scam artist of the week.
I'm willing to pay decent money for decent work, but I'm having trouble finding people who might do decent work.
I'm in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis area if anybody has any specific advice.
Thanks,
ford2go
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
contact your local General Contractors Association
and contact your local BBB - Better Business Bureau
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Minnesota
and contact your local BBB - Better Business Bureau
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Minnesota
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
I'd look in the newspaper or talk to friends, and coworkers. Make sure though that they are insured since you don't want liability for a problem. In our newspaper at least they have section for handymen and contractors and you might look at craigslist.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Manassas Park, VA
Pointed me to the board they had of to the side with all kinds of business cards from diff builders. Said he wasn't allowed to recommend any but if it was him he would use this one guy. Called him and ended up using him. Couldn't have been happier with the quality of the job.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 1
References are the best source; but you should be able to go to Home Depot, get some tips, and do it yourself. Piers for the deck supports are easy, and you can tackle the window with no problem if you think it out. Many do it yourself sites are on the internet, and you can get all the information you need!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Even right up to last March (2007) I had trouble finding a good local contractor who would work on my house. I needed vinyl siding and new windows installed, a fairly decent-sized job. So I called around and ended up having maybe a half-dozen different outfits come by to look it over. But only one of the contractors actually did what he said he was going to do - wrote up a comprehensive estimate, called me back to discuss the matter, and then came by again to clear up the questions I had. None of the other contractors ever got back to me.
Fast forward one year and now the same contractors who were too busy to even call me back are now out hustling for work and/or sitting around coffee shops telling other people how slow things are.
The times they are a changing...
Fast forward one year and now the same contractors who were too busy to even call me back are now out hustling for work and/or sitting around coffee shops telling other people how slow things are.
The times they are a changing...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
ServiceMagic.com
We've used this contractor locating service for fencing, tree removal, replacing the gravel driveway with asphalt and two decks totaling 950 sq ft. You can see what other people say, licensing info, ratings, etc.
We've used this contractor locating service for fencing, tree removal, replacing the gravel driveway with asphalt and two decks totaling 950 sq ft. You can see what other people say, licensing info, ratings, etc.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Wisconsin
Have you ever looked at Welcome to Angie's List: The Best Source for Local Home Improvement Contractors! for your area?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
What ever you do ask for a certificate of liability from the contractor. I own an electrical contracting co. and upon request I will supply liability and workmans comp. certificates. This is important especially where it seems that you are having work done on the structure of your deck.
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