• AskThe Builder.com offers the following ingenious suggestion: visit a lumberyard or wholesale supply house — whichever location is most relevant to your project — since these are the exact sources professionals themselves would regularly use. There, speak to the owner or general manager and ask for the name of a contractor who has been coming there for ten or more years, has at least 20 years experience, pays bills on time, and maintains a reputation for buying quality materials. Also request the names of three contractors the manager or owner would seek out for the same work done on his/her own home.
  
  
• Before making any commitments, be sure to also interview prospective candidates. If a contractor is a professional, he or she should be happy to answer all of your questions. Don't forget to confirm that the person you're speaking with will be the one doing the actual job — many contractors simply send out employees to the site — and ask for testimonials or references for work done on projects similar to the one you have planned. In addition, it's smart to consult the Better Business Bureau for any possible negative information on the contracting company. You can reach them at (510) 238-1000.
  
  
• Make sure that you standardize the plans and specifications that you give to all bidders. This uniformity will prevent you from receiving confusingly disparate estimates. See "What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor" from the Contractors' State License Board. This is a must-read before requesting bids or hiring anyone! When you finally do choose a person for the job and arrive at the contract stage, be sure to outline a clear and precise agreement, including specific goals, costs, and a schedule for completion. You should also make the relatively small investment in a lawyer to review your contract.

Finally, see Ask the Builder.com for more contract tips and detailed bid sheets. About.com's article How to Select a Contractor also offers advice and links to further resources. Finally, if you're concerned about work site liability, see Are Your Pros Insured? from This Old House online.