Whenver you hire anyone who will be coming into your home for repairs ore remodeling work, you should always check references. Get names and phone numbers (the Contractor should be proud of any past work and happy to give the information) and call them.

Ask -- at least -- these four questions:

1) Did the Contractor stay on schedule and follow the terms of your contract?

2) Did the Contractor listen to your concerns, respond to problems, and seem concerned about resolving the issues?

3) Were you pleased with the work and were you pleased with how it got done? (okay, so it's two questions!)

4) Did the Contractor make all the necessary corrections to any problems?

Making sure you understand the person or the company that will be doing the work is a great way to prevent troubles down the road. Without references, you could end up being caught in a scam at worse or having faulty work and delays at best.

Check references. Save yourself any extra grief.