For many consumers, finding a contractor to make  repairs or improvements to their home can be a stressful and overwhelming process.  Do you trust this company to come into your home, treat it like it was theirs, get their work done on time and on budget, all while being easy to work with?

Scottish strives to be that contractor for all your Home Improvement needs!  Even if you don’t use us, we genuinely want to you to have a good experience with your contractor, so we put together this checklist from EHow.com to help with the process.

1. Check with friends who have done similar work to the job that you are contemplating. See how satisfied they were with the contractor.  See the many people who have had a great experience with Scottish on our Testimonials page.  Upon request we will be happy to provide you with names and numbers of some of these clients so that you can talk to them yourself!

2. Before you even start calling the contractors, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area. See if there are any unresolved complaints with a given contractor. Choose one that has no record of complaints, or one where the complaint was resolved to the consumer’s satisfaction. Be aware that a new contractor or one that changed his legal name to dodge complaints may not have any record of complaints with the BBB, so it is important to follow all of these steps.  Here is a link to Scottish Home improvements BBB listing.

3.  Call contractors that pass the BBB test and get bids. Be sure to give the job details the same way with each contractor so you won’t be comparing “apples and oranges”. Get a list of references, that is recently completed jobs the contractor has done that are similar to yours.  Call Scottish today at (303) 662-8150 or complete our contact form and someone will follow up with you shortly.

4. Select the best bid. The best bid is not always the lowest, as the quality of materials may differ. Examine the proposals carefully.  Call the references given by the contractor you picked. See how satisfied the customers were with the job. If there were complaints about the job, or the contractor was unable to give any references, consider the “second best” bid instead.  Again, see the many people who have had a great experience with Scottish on our Testimonials page.  Upon request we will be happy to provide you with names and numbers of some of these clients so that you can talk to them yourself!

5.  Verify that the contractor you choose is licensed.  Scottish is licensed and insured.  Just ask us and we can show you!

6.  Read the contract very carefully. Make sure that the contractor has liability insurance and that his employees or subcontractors are covered by workman’s compensation. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand, and don’t be shy about asking for changes to the contract. You are the customer.  At Scottish our contract is very straight forward.  If you ever have any questions, please ask your sales person.  If you ever have any problems there, feel free to contact our owner, Martin Faith, directly by calling (303) 662-8150 or emailing mfaith@scottishhomeimprovements.com.

7. Make sure the contract lists specifics of your job. List brand names of supplies, type and quantity of items to be installed, etc. Will your contractor do the painting after something is installed or subcontract with somebody else, or leave you to secure the painting?

• Include cleanup and debris removal in the contract.

• Note any follow-up or guarantees the contract provides.

8.  Obtain a liability of insurance certificate made out in your name. The insurance companies give these out on a regular basis. Do not be timid to ask for it. It is the only sure proof of insurance no matter what is written on the truck!  Ask an this shall be given.  Scottish is more than happy to provide you with proof of insurance.

9.  Make sure that the contractor obtains any necessary building permits. If he/she will be digging, make sure he/she checks underground utilities.  Most home improvements do require permits. We always handle this complicated process for the client.

10.  Once you are satisfied with the contract, sign it and give the contractor his deposit by check. If you decide to give a cash deposit, be sure to get a receipt.  At Scottish we always provide you with an invoice/receipt on the receipt of any funds.

If you ever have any questions about finding a reputable Home Improvment contractor in the Denver, Colorado area, please don’t hesistate to call Scottish.  While we specialize in windows, doors, siding, stained glass and home remodels, we can provide you with referrals to a number of our peers, along with recomendations about who to talk to and what questions to ask!

The Colorado Springs Home & Landscaping Show will be here this weekend, January 15-17, 2010. Stop by and see us at the Phil Long Center in Colorado Springs on Friday 4pm-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. Scottish Home Improvements will be there to answer any questions you have about siding, windows, and roofs.

Give your home a new look today. Come by and book an appointment at our show !

This is our new website which launched today. We hope you like it and will contact us with your comments.

Martin Faith