Finding a good contractor?

Rhino

I have a leaky bathtub and this has caused some mold in my house (both in bathroom and room under it).

I'm trying to find a contractor to help me with this, but so far; everyone I've talked to have been either incompetent or very sleazy. Is there any way to find a good contractor? I'm willing to pay a decent wage for a decent job, but haven't found anyone but dirt bags (I've been looking mainly on craig's list).

Is there a national trade guild or something that can point me to good contractors? If I want to google search, what should I search for (my searches have failed).

Mojo the Avenger

As a contractor; try the homebuilder's association in your area. If that doesn't work check the yellowpages or ask around. Word of mouth is pre-filtered advertisement, and the yellow pages are too expensive for hacks.

I'd tell you to watch out for guys that claim they can do everything and guys that attempt to do everything alone out of the back of their truck, but it sounds like you have high enough standards not to hire some asshole.

Rhino

Mojo the Avenger wrote: »

As a contractor; try the homebuilder's association in your area. If that doesn't work check the yellowpages or ask around. Word of mouth is pre-filtered advertisement, and the yellow pages are too expensive for hacks.

I'd tell you to watch out for guys that claim they can do everything and guys that attempt to do everything alone out of the back of their truck, but it sounds like you have high enough standards not to hire some asshole.

thanks!

What should I look for in the yellow pages? I mean what category? Contractors?

Mojo the Avenger

yeah try contractors, homebuilders, handymen, that kind of thing

RUNN1NGMAN

Find a church, grab one of their weekly bulletins, and look at who is advertising on the back.

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Have you ever had work done before? If there's already a guy you trust you could try asking them; most people who've been around as a contractor for a while end up with contacts in fields they don't handle themselves.

It's good that you're avoiding some guys, because being a decent judge of character is your best defence. I've never done any of the work you seem to need (probably plumbing and/or some sort of interior renovation), but I've met enough bad seeds in every field to know you need to be careful. Find somebody who's licensed and insured if possible, avoid anyone who's low-balling you (99% of the time they're going to do a quicky and screw you over). If you're willing to pay decent money you should be able to get decent work.

Good luck.