If you own your own home, it doesn't matter if it's a resale home from the Royal LePage listings in Mississauga or a futuristic supposedly maintenance-free habitation module transported here to the Addington Highlands by aliens, at some point it's going to need fixing. Many of the repairs you will find you're able to do yourself, such as replacing a light fixture or patching a hole in the drywall. However, major projects like roof replacements or additions are beyond the abilities of even the most skillful Do-It-Yourselfers. For these projects you'll need a contractor. Here are some factors to consider when hiring one.

Skill

Obviously you want a contractor who knows their stuff. We've all seen the Holmes on Homes horror stories and we don't want what happened to THAT couple's North York real estate to happen to our Addington homes. Therefore you should look for a contractor that has studied as a reputable college or vocational school and has completed his or her apprenticeship period. To get an idea of whether a contractor is competent, inspect other projects he or she has done.

Reputation

If you want someone both competent and trustworthy, don't just hire the first guy who posts his ad in the paper next to the Oakville house listings. Compile a list of all the contractors you are willing to consider and check them out at the Better Business Bureau to see if any former customers have filed a complaint. You could also ask friends and family to recommend anyone who has worked well for them, or talk to the contractor's other customers.

Cost

It's important that you know how much your project will cost in the end so that you can do your budget and see if you can afford it. Most contractors will drive in from Leaside just to give you a free estimate, so take advantage of their eagerness by getting several estimates. Beware of any that are a lot cheaper than the others. Keep in mind also that it is only an estimate, and the final project will usually turn out to be more expensive.

Time Frame

Ask your contractor how much time he or she is willing or able to devote to your project during the week, because if you're going to be on the bottom of the priority list, things are never going to get finished. This is especially important if you have a deadline for getting your Kitchener condo apartments for sale.