Step-by-Step Hiring Guide

Trusted consumer authorities agree… hiring a good service provider with a solid contract is the
best way to avoid home service nightmares and get the quality you expect at a fair price.

The following summarizes the home service hiring advice of the most important “trust authorities”
in the field: the Better Business Bureau, Government Consumer Affairs Organizations and State
Contractor Licensing Boards. [1][2][3][4]

Step 1 Create a complete, detailed “Project List”

If you do only one thing clearly, carefully and completely, do this: make all design, material and
finish decisions before hiring anyone to work on the project:
- List all demolition, construction/relocation (for electrical and plumbing), installation and
finishing steps – use the work specification and quality checks at
http://www.homewyse.com/home_services/ to understand the work and clearly explain your
quality expectations.
- List every component and material to be used in the project by brand, model and size. Use
the appropriate Project List at http://www.homewyse.com/projects/ to keep track of your
decisions.

Step 2 Gather a list of qualified service providers

Ask people you trust for names of providers they think who would be a good match for the size
and type of project you’ve defined in Step 1. The best sources of referrals:
- Local building department or building code enforcement (also at this time – ask the building
officials which permits will likely be required for your job).
- Homeowners you personally know who share your sense of quality & value, and who have
had a recent, successful project.
- Service professionals who you’ve come to trust.
- Trustworthy Real Estate professionals with a strong sales track record in your neighborhood
- Contractors that have completed good work on homes similar to yours.

Step 3 Complete initial screening

Complete the steps on page 2 of this guide to filter out any unqualified or risky candidates.

Step 4 Interview (for projects over $1,000)

If your project totals less than $1,000 you may want to skip this step and go directly to Step 5.
Otherwise, make sure that you use the 10 key questions on page 3 of this guide to identify 2-3
service providers matched to your project requirements.

Step 5 Get Bids

Use the “Project List” from Step 1 along with your key contract terms (see Page 4 of this guide) to
collect bids from your finalists. Compare the bids and make a final decision.

Step 6 Prepare and sign contract

Use the summary checklist on Page 4 of this guide to decide on the terms you want to include in
the signed document.
_______
[1] New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB), www.nyconsumer.gov/pdf/contractor_ripoffs_2008.pdf
[2] Washing State Department of Hiring & Industries, “Protect yourself when hiring a contractor”,
www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/contractors/HireCon/
[3] California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB) “How do I find the right licensed
contractor” www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/HireAContractor/FindingTheRightContractor.asp
[4] Better Business Bureau “BBB Advice on Hiring Contractors for Home Improvements and Remodeling”
www.bbb.org/us/article/bbb-advice-on-hiring-contractors-for-home-improvement-and-remodeling-4948

copyright 2005 - 2009, homewyse

 Service Provider Screener
copyright 2005 - 2009, homewyse

Candidate 1 Candidate 2 Candidate 3

Name _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ STEP 1 - Collect this information from
Business Info

Street Address _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ candidates by telephone or direct contact.

City _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ After mutual interest is confirmed explain
Phone _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ that you may be in touch later for more
Email _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ information. Don't confuse a business
license with a professional contracting
Website _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
license.
License ID _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Website review Site: Poor Fair Good Excellent Site: Poor Fair Good Excellent Site: Poor Fair Good Excellent STEP 2 - Does candidate's website show
Better Business Bureau BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail work portfolio? Find your local BBB office at
Initial Checks

www.bbb.org - check complaints.

Google Search - Business Name Name Search: ____________________ Name Search: ____________________ Name Search: ____________________ Google search contractor's name and
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ business name. Go to STEP 3 if
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ background seems solid.
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Reference Name _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ STEP 3 - Contact Candidates and explain
Phone # _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ you are completing your research on
Project Type _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ several candidates. Get names of client
Client References

- Overall Experience Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent references from jobs within the past 18
Reference Name _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ months - IMPORTANT: references must
Phone # _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ not be relatives or work associates of
Project Type _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ candidate. Get 1 name for a job that had a
complaint. Get insurance and bonding
- Overall Experience Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent
information for STEP 4. Contact
Reference Name _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
references. If no problems go to STEP 4.
Phone # _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Project Type _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
- Overall Experience Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent
Insurance Agent / Company _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ STEP 4 - If client references are positive,
Insurance & Bond

Policy ID# | Years ____________________|____________ ____________________|____________ ____________________|____________ verify coverage. Any suspicious coverage
Policy Coverage _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ gaps over time?
□ Liability ____ □ Workers Comp._____ □ Liability ____ □ Workers Comp._____ □ Liability ____ □ Workers Comp._____
Bond Agent / Company _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Bond ID# | Years ____________________|____________ ____________________|____________ ____________________|____________
Bond Type / Coverage _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Local Building Dept. Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent Rate: Poor Fair Good Excellent STEP 5 - Collect information for top 2
Final Checks

_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ clients. Search internet for local criminal

Sex Offender Database BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail and sex offender databases - one option is
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ www.peoplesearch.com/resources/backgro
Criminal Database BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail BBB: □ Pass □ Fail und-check.
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
 Service Provider Interview
copyright 2005 - 2009, homewyse

Question Candidate 1 Candidate 2 Candidate 3 Notes

Have you operated your business 1.________________________________ 1.________________________________ 1.________________________________ Multiple names in the same professional
1 under other names in the past? 2.________________________________
3.________________________________
2.________________________________
3.________________________________
2.________________________________
3.________________________________
need to be researched separately and may
Why? indicate a pattern of service problems.
4.________________________________ 4.________________________________ 4.________________________________

Is your current business address Address: □ Business □ Other Address: □ Business □ Other Address: □ Business □ Other A permanent address history is strong
2 a residential address? How long Years at Business Address: _______ Years at Business Address: _______ Years at Business Address: _______ evidence of a stable business. A business
at this address? run out of a pickup truck is a red flag.

Have you been cited for business One issue may be OK if explained clearly.
3 infractions or complaints to the __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Repeat issues indicate a pattern of trouble
Better Business Bureau? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ and a red flag.
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

How do you handle lien releases Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent You are looking for a clear, simple process
4 (when subcontractors will be __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ to assure all lien claims are released before
used)? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ final payment.
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

What permits will be required for □ Structural □ Electrical □ Plumbing □ Structural □ Electrical □ Plumbing □ Structural □ Electrical □ Plumbing Familiarize candidate with job. Be
5 this project? Who should handle □ Other ___________________________ □ Other ___________________________ □ Other ___________________________ suspicious if you are asked to handle
permit process? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ permits or if the contractor insists permits
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ aren't needed when you know otherwise.

What is your change order Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent You are looking for a clear process that
6 process? __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
requires your approval of any unbudgeted
expense, design change or material
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________
substitution.

What do you do to ensure project Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent You want to see quality specifications or
7 quality? __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
checklists that must be completed before
payment is issued.
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Does your bond cover the total □ Bond Limit to Cover Project □ Bond Limit to Cover Project □ Bond Limit to Cover Project Any hesitation on this isssue should be
8 project value? If not, will you __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ taken as a warning sign.
extend it? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

What are the big risks in this Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Answer: Poor Fair Good Excellent Early decisions on all material and design
9 project? What will you do to __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
choices. Clearm proactive ownership of
minimize them? delivery, trade scheduling and inspections
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Will you be requesting a deposit □ No Deposit □ No Prepayment □ No Deposit □ No Prepayment □ No Deposit □ No Prepayment Financially responsible contractors usually
10 or prepayment? If so, why? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ don't require prepayment.
__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________
 Contract / Agreement Terms
Get it in writing. Always complete a written agreement for any work performed on your home. Don't sign the agreement or let work begin until you've
included the terms for your project type. For each project type, contract terms that are strongly recommended (R) or optional (O) are listed below:

Project Type Small less than $300, single service provider, common work tasks
Minor $300 - $1000, single service provider, with more involved tasks and quality implications
Major >$1000, multiple service providers, permits and significant changes to home
Job Requirements
… All work to be completed R R R List every removal, demolition, construction, preparation, installation and finishing step.
… Material grade / type / option R R R Specify the grade of non-branded products (such as lumber, millwork) - and, if important to you, environmentally friendly options.
… List of fixtures, fittings and hardware R R R List every item, noting finish, size and brand/ID# for any item over $50.
… List of all finishes R R R List all wall, ceiling, trim and flooring finish options. Specify manufacturer, color, finish type for each item.
… Quality Specifications R R R Explain the quality you expect - fit, finish, operation and appearance. See http://www.homewyse.com/home_services/ for this information.
… Sketches / working drawings O O R Clearly show placement, patterns, seam placement and edge transition details of flooring, tilework, lighting, media components and built ins.
Schedule
… Project Start and End Dates R R R All work completed with permits, lien releases and to owner's satisfaction by End Date.
… Milestone management R R Track permit sign off dates, subcontractor lien release (payment), dates and special order delivery dates at every project progress meeting.
… Late completion penalty O O Financial penalty for delays directly attributable to contractor neglect or error.
Contractor Responsibilities
… Permitting R R R Contractor must obtain all applicable permits and proactively organize all work and inspections needed for permit signoff.
… Schedule management R R Contractor must proactively coordinate ALL material and sub-contractor availability to achieve End Date.
… Quality assurance R R R Assign contractor full responsibility for assuring that each Quality Specification is met.
… Sub-contractors O Establish clear responsibility for hiring, managing quality, paying and obtaining lien release for all subcontractors.
… Material delivery, storage O O Assign full responsibility for verifying orders, delivery inspection and safe storage.
Price and Payment Milestones
… Materials purchase and payment R R R Identify who will specify and purchase construction supplies, finish materials, fixtures and appliances.
… Contract price R R R Specify that contract price includes permit, dump, equipment rental fees and ALL indirect costs needed to complete the project.
… Payment schedule R R R Avoid advance payments. Pay for materials upon receipt. Pay labor only after permit inspection(s) and Quality Specifications are satisfied.
Warranty
… Common construction materials R R R Require a 1 year warranty, with material and installation coverage for defective.
… Installation labor R R Minimum 1 year warranty on craftsmanship. Warranty must be 100% transferable. Remedy to include all restoration costs.
Insurance, Bonding & and Legal
… Liability insurance O R R Require coverage for damage to structure and furnishings.
… Performance bond O R R Bond amount should be greater than contract total.
… Lien release R R R Clearly assign responsibility for obtaining all lien releases after subcontactor work is completed.
… Dispute resolution O O Define how mediation or binding arbitration would be used to resolve any disputes once the contract is executed..
Other
… Change orders R R R Homeowner must approve incremental work, material changes, variations to contract specified work before unspecified work begins.
… Protection of structure, finishes O R R Specify that contractor must project existing landscaping, hardscaping, structure and all finishes and fixtures from damage.
… Demolition, refuse, recycling R R R Homeowner must verify all items to be demolished or removed - and recycle / disposals methods.
… Worksite rules O O O If you want daily cleanup or don't want smoking, drinking, loud music, use of your bathroom/telephone or odd working hours, state it here.
… Right of recission O R R Homeowner can cancel the contract within 3 day period after signing.
copyright 2005 - 2009, homewyse