Finding the right contractor to take on your home improvement project can be a hassle, especially if you're relying on 20th century tools. In the past ten years, improved local searches and online local trade directories have added new tools and technology that make it easier than ever to find skilled carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen to take on your house addition, new bathroom or home repairs. If you're still relying on the local telephone listings, newspapers and word of mouth to find a good contractor for your home renovation project, consider these ways to find a local contractor to take on your work.
Local Newspaper Classifieds
Most local newspapers now have all of their classified listings online, usually for free. You can browse the "Handyman" and "Contractor" listings and contact those advertising in your local paper. You won't learn much more about a company than the bare facts, but you will get contact information that you can use to research them before you make contact.
Craigslist
Many local contractors working in the skilled trade areas post advertisements on Craigslist, the world's largest bulletin board. When searching for a contractor to take on your home improvement projects on CL, keep in mind that there's no quality control and no easy way to check and see if someone is legitimate. Because CL is such a popular exchange, it tends to attract some of the worst elements of any industry - and of society. If you decide to look for a contractor to take on your home repair and home improvement projects on a service like this, take precautions. Look for businesses with real addresses, local telephone numbers and references. Don't give out your address until you've checked out the poster carefully and are sure that they're legitimate.
Local Online Directories
There are a number of online contractor directories that allow you to search their listings and find local plumbers, electricians and handymen to take on your projects. Many of them are no better than an online telephone book, so be sure you use at least the same amount of caution you'd use when contacting someone with a listing in the local newspaper. Other directories give you a little more to work with. Look for those that allow customers to post reviews of work done and service received from local service professionals. The reviews will give you a start on researching the individuals and companies before you contact them.
Contractor Job and Bid Boards
A number of new contractor-consumer connection services have cropped up online lately that make it easy for you to connect with skilled trade workers in your local community. They take their cue from job bid boards used by online freelancers for years. You can post the details of a job you need done - from a simple yard cleanup to building an addition onto your house - and get bids from professional contractors in your area. You can also browse contractor listings and make contact with the companies yourself, and read reviews posted by others who have hired them to do work for them. This type of board gives you the kind of flexibility and reach that's usually enjoyed by town governments and big corporations that often put out requests for bids.
If you're looking for a contractor to take on a home improvement project for you this spring or summer, take your search online and find the best skilled professionals in your local community to take on your job.
Author Resource:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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