How to: Find a reliable pro for 10 common household jobs

Contractor and plumber CONTRACTORHow to find one- Word of mouth - Building centres- Through other tradespeople like plumbers and electricians What to ask- Are they bonded, licensed, insured and covered by workers' compensation insurance? The Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada website has links for all provinces.- What will the work schedule be? Money matters - Rates vary. - On large jobs, split fee into instalments with firm payment schedule.- Withhold 10 percent on invoices for 30 to 60 days to avoid liens on your property if contractor fails to pay suppliers or workers. Comments- The more info you have on your project the better, right down to the style of fixtures and materials. - Trust your instincts; a personality fit is crucial.- Contractors should ask you as many questions as you ask them; be wary of one who doesn't.PLUMBERHow to find one- Word of mouth - Yellow Pages for well-established companies- Through your contractorWhat to ask- Are they licensed and insured? - What is their training and experience? - Does the quote include fixtures, repairs to walls? - What guarantees do they offer on their repair or installation work?Money matters- Going rate: $60 to $80 per hour for most jobs. - Flat rate varies on small routine repairs. Comments- It's cheaper to group tasks, so if you have multiple jobs, try to get them all done at once. - Avoid possible markups by buying fixtures yourself.- Get multiple quotes on large non-emergency jobs. Electrician and interior designer ELECTRICIANHow to find one- Word of mouth - The Canadian Electrical Contractors Association website (ceca.org) has links to provincial associations and member listings.- Yellow Pages for well-established companies- Through your contractorWhat to ask- Are they bonded, licensed, insured and covered by workers' compensation insurance? - What is their training? - How many years have they been in business?- What are their guarantees and payment terms?Money matters- Going rate: $60 to $80 per hour for most jobs. - Flat rate varies on some routine jobs. Comments- Get a written estimate and multiple quotes on large jobs.INTERIOR DESIGNERHow to find one- Word of mouth - Home shows - Magazines - Decorating, design or furniture stores- The Interior Designers of Canada website (interior designerscanada.org), or provincial associationsWhat to ask- Are they designers (with college degrees and memberships in provincial design associations) or decorators? - What will be done at each stage in the project, and how long will it take?- Will they source products, as well as consult?Money matters- Going rates: interior designers, $90 per hour; decorators, $75 to $200 per hour. - Payment schedule and deposits for labour and materials are common. - Custom work (like upholstery) is non-refundable. Comments- As with other professionals you'll work closely with, personality fit is extremely important. Handyperson and home organiser HANDYPERSONHow to find one- Word of mouth - Yellow Pages and Internet for professional organizations like Handyman Matters, which offers licensed, bonded, insured professionals and guaranteed work.What to ask- Are they bonded, insured, and covered by workers' compensation insurance? - What are their qualifications? - Are they licensed for plumbing or electrical jobs? - Do they offer guarantees?Money matters- Going rate: $50 to $75 per hour for most jobs through a professional organization.Comments- They can be worth their weight in gold, or disastrous; word-of-mouth referrals or established companies are your safest bets. - In small towns, many people supplement their income this way, with varying levels of expertise.HOME ORGANISERHow to find one- Word of mouth - Internet: Try websites like organizersincanada.com, which lets you search by location or task, and offers tips on how to hire an organizer.What to ask- How long have they been in business? - What is their training and background?- Do they work alone or with the homeowner?- Is there an additional consultation fee or is that included in the project fee?Money matters- Going rate: $40 to $150 per hour, varying across country and by projectComments- Home organizers are different from home cleaners, though clearing out is part of the job. - Home organizing can be an emotional issue, so look for someone you feel comfortable with. Painter and landscape designer PAINTERHow to find one- Word of mouth - Yellow Pages for well-established companies- Home-builders' associations - Paint stores - Community newspapers- Through your contractorWhat to ask- Are they bonded, insured and covered by workers' compensation insurance? - Can they provide references? - Can they bring photos of their work? (Look for professional results: Examine trim and where the walls meet the ceiling for clean, neat lines.)Money matters - Going rate: $40 per hour or $325 per day; average interior room takes one to 1 1/2 days Comments- Written estimate should indicate work to be done, type of paint, number of coats - If you don't want to pay painters to clear rooms, personally move furniture to the centre of the room; remove valuables and pictures. - Check room for existing paint splatters before the painter begins.LANDSCAPE DESIGNERHow to find one- Word of mouth-ask friends or neighbours with a garden design you admire - Large garden centres - Yellow Pages or Internet for provincial landscape designers' associationsWhat to ask- What services does the design plan fee include? - Is this fee refundable if the designer installs the garden? - Do they have references and photographs of similar jobs?- What is the length and scope of their guarantee?Money matters- Going rates: approximately $120 for consultation; $300 to $400 for design plan for average city property with front and backyard, but can be much higher for larger properties and for full installation.Comments- A design plan is worthwhile even if you install plants yourself over several years, since you then have an overall vision to work toward. - Landscapers should check with utility companies for underground lines before digging. Window cleaner and house cleaner WINDOW CLEANERHow to find one- Word of mouth - Yellow PagesWhat to ask- Are they insured and covered by workers' compensation insurance? - What is their training? How many years have they been in business?- Will they remove and replace storm windows? Money matters- Going rate: approximately $80 per hour for two-person crewComments- Although window cleaners can clean both inside and outside of windows, cleaning your own interiors saves money. - Make sure they use ladder arms, which protect eaves and are safer.- Providing detailed cleaning instructions will help cleaners work to your satisfaction. - If you can't be at home during cleaning, beware of who gets your key-a bonded agency may be the best bet. HOUSE CLEANERHow to find one- Ask friends if their cleaner is good and is willing to take on another client. - Yellow Pages for well-established agenciesWhat to ask- Do they have references? - What is their training and experience? - Will they supply their own cleaning products or use yours? - What's their cancellation policy? - Will they handle the taxes? (Agencies often add GST to your bill.)Money matters- Going rates: individuals, $15 to $20 per hour; agencies, $60 to 70 per hour. Comments- Agencies cost more but provide bonded and insured pros-and replacements. (Picture this: your cleaner's sick and you're planning a party for tomorrow!)