LogFAQs > #964502352

I suggest trying at least 3 contractors, not at the same time, and ask all of them for references as well. Also check them out on social media/google if they have a facebook account etc. There is often alot of information out there about a contractor and you can get a preview of problems you might have.

The references are usually cherry picked so not as much help as looking them up online (you will see some negative ones probably, but how negative is telling), but it's still good to ask for them since if they don't have any at all that can be a red flag (and you can make up online references/comments etc easily).

Also use facebook if you have friends in your area etc, and ask if any of them have had similar work done and can recommend someone. That is often the best way to get a really reliable contactor (and often a good price as well!!). Even if it's just friends of friends or a friend of yours knows someone who had similar work done, it can lead you to someone who is trustworthy and not too expensive.

Some of the best contractors that are not massively expensive are individuals or small teams that don't do massive advertising etc. We had a set of stairs made down the cliff in front of this house to the beach. We hired this contractor and did research first and he did an amazing job for much less then most others would have charged. It's super sturdy a year later after tons of very harsh weather here (massive wind storms cause it's off the water).

Back in Gilroy CA we also hired them, usually from word of mouth/friends who had used them already and we spread the name of the contractors ourselves afterwards. Honestly good ones really get a reputation and the word spreads fast, so you can usually tell someone is good/reliable because alot of people will gush about them.