Most people enjoy do-it-yourself home projects because they save you money and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you completed a project yourself. However, there will be times when the project is too major or the cost is comparable to what it would cost you to do it yourself. Or, you may simply not have the time to do the project and you want a professional to handle your housing dilemma. When this situation presents itself it's time to hire a general contractor. But how do you know which one to choose out of the myriad of companies and individuals listed in the yellow pages or on the Internet?
Better Business Bureau
The BBB is the best way to determine if you are dealing with a legitimate company that is not a fly by night situation. They log in hundreds of consumer complaints and compliments every year for a wide variety of businesses. If you are unsure as to whether you should trust a general contractor or not, the BBB is your first resource. Checking out the company with this agency can save you a lot of headache.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is another great way to determine if a general contractor is legitimate. Ask friends, neighbors and coworkers if they have had a similar project completed on their home and what they thought of the contractor. Sometimes contractors also list references that you can call to find out what their customers thought of their previous services.
Internet
By all accounts the Internet is still the wild wild West of claims both founded and unfounded. Although this is a great place to find a contractor one should proceed with caution, as anyone can build a website these days. However, the Internet also offers a plethora of word of mouth resources from real people with real experience with home repairs. Sites like Angie's List, Yelp, and City Search all offer star ratings from individuals who have worked with different businesses. It is best though to not use these sites as your only source, since sometimes they are inaccurate or the people posting on them may have an ax to grind.
A thorough investigation though of general contractors – Illinois based, headquartered in California or in any of the other 48 states, will ensure that your project is completed right and on time.