As you walk down the cavernous aisles of various home improvement stores, you can see the seeds of great ideas that, for some that would attempt a project, turn into a nightmare. We all have ideas of things we'd like to change about our house or rooms, home renovations that seem like they'd be a positive step. These changes and additions to a house will only increase the value and add overall comfort, and hiring a professional to get the job done is a wise idea to save time and possible headaches. Keep in mind, though, that in every industry, there are bad apples, and knowing what to look for to find a good contractor is important.

It's a lot harder than you would think to find a good contractor. If you want a quality job, do not rush into anything with a contractor. Each completed step gets you that much closer to finished. Be wary, however, or your dream could end up being a nightmare. Investing in renovations often has no guaranteed results. Your project might end up being all cherries, or it could be the pits!

For most homeowners, the majority of renovations are just too large or difficult. Once you've decided on your parameters, you can find a contractor to renovate your home and make your dreams come true. Renovations can be either fun and simple, or difficult and unpleasant. And your choice of a contractor will have a major impact on your experience.

The first thing to do is to hire professional and responsible contractors to perform your renovations. Don't hesitate to ask for and verify references. All legitimate contractors will be proud of their work history, and will be happy to supply you with references. Avoid contractors who can't provide at least six, and preferably ten, solid references.

All master professional contractors should have verifiable licenses and bonded insurance. This insurance protects both you and the contractor if something goes wrong on the job, such as accidents to the crew or damage to your home. If contractors don't have insurance, there's usually a very good reason: either they can't afford insurance that may mean they don't get jobs because they're not very good, or else they've had many problems on the job and have become uninsurable. Either one is bad news.

Make sure everything is spelled out in writing! Verbal contracts are difficult to validate, despite being enforceable by law. Contracts should have specific language regarding the nature of the work to be done, the expected date of completion, the materials required to complete the project, and the number of sub-contractors that will be required. The contractor, specifying the payment plan, will give an estimate of the cost of the job to you and the contractor should stand by this estimate. Always be sure that your contract clearly states that you will not be held responsible for cost overruns.

Before the renovation job is started, some contractors will ask for a large down payment. Create a financing plan that details the down payment, a payment that starts when construction does, and a final payment that occurs at the end of construction. Homeowners sometimes withhold a percentage of the payment until the job is completed, or even offer bonuses for work completed in a timely manner as means to keep contractors on schedule.

Finally, set firm start and finish dates letting the contractor know that you fully expect completion on schedule. It's wise to have your contract state that there will be a financial penalty for each day the job runs behind schedule. If the contractor is sure of his abilities and his estimate, he will agree to these terms. With some basic business savvy, you can have exactly what you want, when you want it.