A professional will provide you with a copy of his or her current workman's compensation certificate. They will also offer to you with a copy of their certificate of insurance indicating the limits of their general liability policy. Generally speaking, both of these policies are paid in advance. Make sure that the policies will not expire prior to the completion of your job.

Some states require contractors to be licensed. A professional will produce a copy of his or her current registration without hesitation.

In the event that the job does not have detailed plans and specifications, a professional will produce a detailed list of work to be done. Where applicable, specific materials will be spelled out in this listing.

Professional contractors will indicate specific starting dates and provide you with a schedule of how the job will progress. This schedule will indicate a completion date. In the event the job is delayed, or changes orders occur which add or delete work, the professional will adjust the schedule and notify you of the new anticipated completion date.

A professional contractor will not employ high pressure sales tactics. He or she will produce a clear and concise contract which is fair to both parties. Often this contract will include a method by which disputes can be settled.

Professional contractors are sometimes members of a trade association. They also possess a broad knowledge of the trade and keep current with new technology. They should be able to produce current copies of trade publications addressed to them. Professional contractors have many repeat customers. They should be able to produce a long list of these individuals.

Finally, consult your local Better Business Bureau. Ask how long the contractor has been in business. Ask if there are any unresolved disputes pending regarding the contractor in question.

No builder or designer's library should be without Adding to a House written by Philip Wenz. Here is the ideal book for designers and builders who understand basic construction but have not had access to a single source of information that covers the entire process of planning, designing and building an addition. Adding to a House is also perfect for home owners who intend to contract the work out and want to understand the process so they can make intelligent decisions and work effectively with people they hire. This book will help you avoid costly mistakes, make sure no potential problems are overlooked and handle tricky construction details. By following the advice in this book designers, builders and home owners will be able to create an addition that solves space problems and increase the value of a house. This book is published by Taunton Press, one of my favorite book publishers, and has wonderful color photographs and easily understood illustrations.