From the Author
Why you need this book BEFORE you hire a contractor.Many consumers equate contractors with Darth Vader. And in many cases they're insulting ol' Darth. At least with him, you know what to expect. "Hiring Contractors..." isn't written by a contractor. As a television consumer reporter I look at this daunting task from the consumer's point of view. Bad contractors give good ones a bad name. With the assistance of a very good contractor - and true stories of those who have paid the price of hiring without help - this book guides you through the steps you need to take in order to separate the wheat from the chaf - or, if you're not a farmer - to separate the real home improvement professionals from the crumb-bums. "But," you say, "isn't reading a book about hiring contractors about as dry as the Mojave during a dust storm in August?" "Nay!" say I. That's because I wrote the book in laymen's terms, using lots o' humor, a joke to start each chapter and exciting epic adventures of consumers caught in the fray. And... it's short! As a consumer reporter I constantly receive calls about contractors who have screwed up, delayed the job or just plain taken off before the it was ever finished. And most states offer little protection against these rascals. "Hiring Contractors..." is a quick way to avoid the pitfalls. And to be honest (hey, after all, I am The Consumer Guy) the royalty deal I got is so pitiful, I have no reason to con you. But what happens if you take the right precautions and the contractor screws up anyway? I've got you covered. There's a chapter on what to do in that situation as well. So happy hunting and don't let the paperwork, plaster and paint get you down.
