Choosing an unlicensed contractor leaves you without recourse should the contractor fail to keep a timetable, provides poor-quality workmanship by cutting corners, or simply takes your down payment and never returns.

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Question: I am thinking about doing some remodeling. What advice do you have as I plan my project?

Answer: Before you take a sledgehammer to anything, the most important thing you need to do is your homework.

Before hiring

Take the time to research the contractors you are considering. Rosie’s How To Choose A Contractor Consumer Guide (tucne.ws/1mek) outlines the steps, from checking the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) website, to interviewing, and how to dig deep into a prospective contractor. If you are shopping for the cheapest price, there is nothing I can say to help you choose a good contractor.

Do your homework

There are nine critical questions you need to ask a potential contractor.

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An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for more than 40 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio broadcast, heard locally from 10 a.m.to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson.