Hiring a home improvement contractor

     It is that time of year -- the "for sale" signs are up, and the crocuses will be up soon.  As we joke in our family, very shortly, the for sale sign comes down and the dumpster appears in the driveway and the building permit in the window.  Whether you are buying a new home and renovating or sprucing up the house you have, here are some things to consider before you let a contractor do work on your house.

• Contractors in Massachusetts should have both a home improvement contractor registration and a construction supervisor license.  Make sure your contractor has both.
• Ask friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors for referrals. Receiving a referral from someone you know is often the best way to find the best person to do the job.  But don't rely solely on the referral.  Do your homework.  
• Make sure that the contractor can do the job for you.  In other words, if the contractor mostly renovates kitchen, he may not be the right person to bump out that dormer on the second floor.
• Ask the contractor for the names of the last 3 projects he has completed or is presently working on. Also, ask to visit one or more of his current work sites.  If a contractor will only give you references make sure that the projects were completed in the last year.
• Find out what kind of insurance your contractor has.  Keep in mind that it is rare that a contractor has insurance that will pay you for a claim that the contractor was negligent.  Most policies exclude poor workmanship from coverage.
• Make sure you have a contract in writing and that the contract includes basic items like payment terms, termination, and language required by Massachusetts law.