When choosing a contractor to work on your business, take the time to ask a few questions and educate yourself. In the long run, you'll be glad you did.

Experience Counts
Is the contractor an established local business? Are they qualified to work on your particular project?

References
Don't be afraid to ask for references. An experienced and skilled contractor should have no problem pointing you to satisfied clients.

Get It In Writing
You should have a formal contract in hand before any work begins on your home. Familiarize yourself with your legal rights and responsibilities. Don't sign anything you don't understand.

You Get What You Pay For
Getting one or two bids from different contractors can be a good strategy for choosing the best person for the job, but keep in mind the old adage, you get what you pay for. The lowest bid will seldom be the best choice - quality, craftsmanship and products may cost a little more, but will usually have a warranty to back it up.

Communicate
If you have a concern about something, let your contractor know. Inspect the work they're doing. Don't wait until the project is complete to point out problems. The contractor wants you, the client, to be satisfied. Communication can keep small issues from becoming big problems.

Getting Your Money's Worth
No matter what the improvement project, follow these tactics to help make your money work harder.

Don't skimp on structural, plumbing, or electrical materials or installation. Consider them long-term investments for which strength, durability, and performance are mandatory.

Fixtures in neutral or subtle colors are most practical. You pay a premium for designer colors, and boldly colored fixtures may not lend themselves to future remodeling or redecorating projects. If you love color, consider using it in paint and accessories that are inexpensive to replace.

Decide which features are most important to you and allocate a larger share of your budget to pay for them. Then make less costly choices for other product categories.

Synthetic surfaces replicate the look of natural products but often cost much less. Choose stone-look laminate instead of granite for the countertop, or vinyl instead of slate or marble for the floors.