When hiring a contractor to do work on your home, please do some initial homework so as to avoid some challenges in the long run.This can be tricky but think of it as if you were going to put your home on the market.  In this current housing market buyers are very picky and needless to say so are lenders.  Home buyers are asking for receipts of remodeling work that was done. They want to know that a licensed professional did the work and that it meets the current code requirements. Whether it is a general contractor that does the work or your favorite handy man, make sure that you do your homework first by getting a few referrals. Go out and look at their previous jobs. Also, go out and look at current one's as well.  See if they are tidy and their clients are happy so far. Smile