Professional Home repair tip

Here is a tip dealing with home repair, that I learned the hard way.  Don’t pay for the entire job upfront.  Hold some back for a final payment to make sure the job is completed.  I paid  the entire fee to a workman to redo my outside courtyard area in front.  When he stopped in the middle of the job and disappeared, I tried to track him down.  He disconnected his cell and I called the person who had  recommended the workman.  That person refused to take any responsibility for the referral and explained  that the workman was a drunk and currently in jail.
1. Get better references than I did.  Do a word of mouth survey and see if several people recommend the same worker or company.  Ask someone in the business, such a former construction worker, who he would hire.
2. Get a signed receipt for all payments, especially if you may be going to a small claims court down the road.
3. Hold the final payment until work is done to your satisfaction.
4. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints.

Post-divorce or with other life transitions, you may be stressed, but taking more to make sure you have the right worker will save you money and frustration in the end.