Even if you do most of the repairs and maintenance in your building, there will be times that you have to call an expert. The job may be beyond your expertise or require extensive work by a licensed professional who has all the right tools and, perhaps, a helper. And even though you may know how to do the work, there will be times when you're simply too busy to do it.

Finding the Right Contractors

Looking for a plumber or electrician is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. If you don't have recommendations, you stare at listings in the yellow pages and wonder which person to call — the one that's nearest to your house, the one that promises he has the most experience? How do you find someone who will stand behind the work? And how many people should you call — one, two, or three?

To eliminate some hassles, ask neighbors and friends if they can recommend anyone for the job. Get names and phone numbers. You might also ask at the local home supply store to find out whether they know anyone they'd recommend.

Researching Contractors

Most experts recommend that you get three names or companies, especially if your project is going to cost a lot of money. After you have three names, look them up in the phone book to find out what they say in their ads — how much experience they have, how long they've been in business, and whether they are licensed and bonded.

Does the ad display the Better Business Bureau logo? Are they members of the local Home Builders Association or any other professional organization? If so, that should reassure you that the business isn't a fly-by-night operation. Then start calling.

When you call, ask if they are bonded and licensed. You can also ask for a ballpark estimate on what the job might cost — reassure them that you realize it's only an estimate and you know they can't tell you what the job will cost until they see the house. Then they might be less reluctant to name a figure. Get references, too — and call those people up before you have anyone come to the house to bid on the project.

When you meet contractors in person, look at their credentials. Verify their licenses and don't hesitate to ask for proof of insurance. Then if anything goes wrong or if someone is hurt, their insurance will cover it. If the credentials check out, ask them to bid on the project. Let them know, however, that you'll be getting other bids before you come to a decision.

Take notes on how each bidder plans to do the work, especially if it's something you know little about — perhaps waterproofing a basement or improving drainage in your yard. Your notes are the only way you can figure out afterward who said what and whether you're comparing apples to apples.

When to Get Bids

When you need a plumber to unplug a toilet or an electrician to replace bad sockets, you might want to phone a couple of companies to find out what their fee is to walk into your house — usually covering only the first hour of labor — and the hourly rate beyond that. Parts needed are extra, so you may want to find out what those might cost as well. Or ask a neighbor if they can recommend a company or individual whose rates are reasonable. You don't need bids for small jobs.

However, for big projects, it's very important to shop around carefully and know what you're getting yourself into. Consider what you might go through hiring a roofing contractor. Some roofers put on new roofs that leak. Some leave a mess after pulling off old shingles and won't come back to clean it up. Others may require 80 or 90 percent of the bill to be paid up front. Then they do a lousy job and will not come back to fix it to your satisfaction. They won't care if they forfeit the last 10 percent of their fee.

With a new roof costing upward of $5,000 for labor and materials — as compared to a few hundred to hire an electrician or plumber — it's important to verify the credentials of those you hire and to get someone reliable. Don't leave it to chance. Find a reputable company that's insured.