Contractor Bids

Summary: Contractor bids should state clearly that payment will be for work completed, not in advance. Paying a contractor or subcontractor any money in advance can cause problems beyond your control.Carl, I would have to argue against your advice as to not paying sub-contractors in advance.I've worked in the past as a freelancer and the concerns that you mention about them not doing a good job

Finding Prescreened Contractors

Carl, Is there a list of subcontractors who work with real stucco in Portland Oregon.Please give me some direction.Thanks, K.A.Hi K.A.Actually, there is a plethora of stucco contractors (subcontractors) in the Portland, OR area. Just Google "stucco contractors Portland Or" and see.For prescreened contractors, try ServiceMagic.You can often find subcontractors through building materials suppliers

How to Pay How to Pay Your Contractors or Subcontractors

Hi:I am thinking about being my own contractor after reading your book but my first experience on my California run-down property was to install a septic system.My excavator charged $100 per hour for the digging ($3700 total) and the hook-up to the drain-field and the house was at $50 per hour ($600 total).Materials were $3600. Does this seem reasonable for California? Did I pay too much? What

Subcontractors with No Workman’s Compensation Insurance

Carl,I have two issues I'm dealing with. I want to do some remodeling on my primary residence. Is there any way I can get some type of insurance to cover me in case a subcontractor with no workman’s compensation insurance gets insured at my residence in Kansas?Second situation is I'm thinking of building a vacation home in rural Missouri and being my own general contractor. Is there any special