Tip Of The Day: Make Sure Your Contractor Has A License Before Paying Him

Homeowners need to be careful before handing over their money to a contractor. Before hiring, always check with your Department of Consumer Affairs to ensure he or she is reputable and has a license. People should also get one or two past referrals and speak to those people about how happy they were with the contractor's work. This goes for plumbers, roofers, builders and anyone else claiming to do professional home repairs.

I can't even begin to tell you how many calls I get from people who paid a first installment on a new roof, a new kitchen, or a home extension only to find out that their contractor went M.I.A. Contractors are notorious for leaving jobs unfinished. That's why it's also wise to obtain at least two references to confirm your contractor has a good track record of starting and completing work in a professional and timely manner. Click here to see if your contractor has the proper license.

It is also important that any contract you sign stipulates that you will pay for the services in increments as the work is done. The final payment should never be made until the job is completed to your satisfaction.