Monday, September 27, 2010 @ 10:59:00 AM - Written by MW
Some homeowners may attempt to make home improvements on their own, without the proper permits and/or skill set. When it comes time to sell the house, buyers likely will use that to their advantage when negotiating. To avoid this, many real estate professionals advise homeowners to hire licensed contractors and to do due diligence to ensure the proper permits have been approved by the city, county, or others who may need to approve the project.
When it comes time to hire a licensed contractor, homeowners may opt to search online. Sites that are driven by consumer ratings often will be the best bet because consumers can see what other homeowners say about the contractor and his/her quality of work. However, consumers should beware of sites with anonymous postings and advertisements that appear in search results that look like positive ratings.