I found an interesting article on CNN.com about what contractors are really saying when they tell you things like, “I need money upfront for materials.” and “We can skip the city permit for a small job.”

I wrote an article a couple of years ago in fun about what real estate agents mean when they say, “Cozy house” (small) or “Gardeners delight” (lots of yard work), but this article was much more serious.  Listen to the words that are spoken to you if you have a professional contractor in your home.  Ask for referrals to make sure they are on the up-and-up, check with the Better Business Bureau, and check with Angie’s List to see what people are saying who have worked with them.

Angie’s List has an older article about what a contractor license means, including that a licensed professional will have insurance,

Liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury caused by that contractor’s work. Homeowners should also make certain the contractor’s insurance policy includes workers’ compensation, which covers injuries the contractor’s employees may suffer while on the job…

Ask for proof of insurance and that the professional is bonded.  If they won’t show you, go to someone else.

And for the record, when a contractor asks to be paid in advance for materials they really need it to pay off materials for a previous job, according to the article on CNN Money.com.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!