For every contractor you select after the interviews, follow up by taking the time to call and visit the people on their list of references. Checking references is your opportunity to talk to their former clients and get a sense of how happy they were with the contractor. You might ask them:
• What type of work did you have done? (How similar is their project to the project you are planning?)
• Did the quality of the construction meet your expectations and, if not, why?
• What was the best thing about working with them?
• If just one thing could have been done better, what would it be?
• How well did the contractor keep to the timeline in your contract? Was your project completed on schedule and if not why?
• Was your project completed within budget and if not, why? How close was the final invoice to the estimate?
• You might ask about their work habits, those little differences that can make life during a project so much more pleasant. Did the contractor clean up the work area before leaving each day? Did they seal off the construction area from the rest of the house? Were they pleasant and patient with everyone, including both you and their subcontractors? Did they keep their language polite even when frustrated or problems came up? Were they receptive to hearing your concerns and answering questions?
Another good reference is the local Better Business Bureau. Check with them to see if there have been any complaints against the contractor.
Contractors should have their license number clearly displayed on business cards, flyers, brochures, and ads. Be sure to check with the Contractors State License Board to verify the license is still valid and to check for any complaints against them. CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD - CHECK A CONTRACTOR LICENSE