Hiring Contractors Before Listing Homes

As we all know, in this market, it can be tough to sell a home. In any market, however, it is often necessary to enlist the help of contractors to make needed repairs or modifications before the home goes on the market. There are plenty of "nightmare" stories out there about unfinished projects or unethical handymen, which is why references are important. It's also important for your protection to know how to check the license of any contractor in the state of California. Just go to www.csib.ca.gov. You will find a link toward the bottom of the page in the center saying "Check the Status." Just type in the name of the contractor or his/her license number (sometimes found on their business card). Make sure they match to save yourself a host of problems. And remember, networking with a trusted group is the best place to begin when getting started with a project.