How and Where to Locate a Garage Improvement Contractor

Locating a qualified contractor to install your garage cabinets, garage doors, floor coating or tile for your garage improvement project does not have to be a difficult task. Here are some of the best sources for leads to finding a professional and reputable contractor. 

1.  Referrals – According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) nearly early half of all projects signed by a remodeling contractor are the result of client referrals. An additional 22% of jobs are the result of word-of-mouth.  

Here are some of the best sources for leads to finding a contractor: 

• Relatives
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Business Colleagues
• Lenders
• Architects/Designers
• Real Estate Agents
• Manufacturer or Suppliers of your Garage Cabinets, Tile, Light Fixtures or Garage Doors
• Subcontractors
• Local Material Suppliers or Distributors (home improvement retailers, tile centers, etc) 

2.  Professional Trade Organizations – Trade organizations can be a great resource for the names of members who serve homes in your area. 

• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) – The goal of this trade organization is to help homeowners find the right remodeling professional partner to do their garage remodeling project, using their own certification process for contractors.  State chapters of the NARI can help you locate a contractor closest to your home:  SEARCH FOR CONTRACTORS ON NARI
  
• National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) – This non-profit trade association serves every segment of the tile and stone industry, and is recognized as the largest and most respected tile contractors association in the world.  Their website maintains a directory to locate a members closest to your home:  SEARCH FOR CONTRACTORS ON NTCA 
  
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) – This trade association helps promote the residential housing industry, and the public at large.  Local chapters of the NAHB can help you locate a local builder to assist you with a new garage construction project:  SEARCH FOR BUILDERS ON NAHB
  
• National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) – This trade organization serving the interests of the entire electrical contracting industry can help you find the right electrical contractor to install lighting and wire your garage:  SEARCH FOR CONTRACTORS ON NECA
   
• Door and Access Systems Manufacturing Association (DASMA) – This trade association of manufacturers of garage doors does not maintain a list of garage door installers on their website, but does provide a comprehensive list of door manufacturers who can help point you toward professional installers of their product.
  

3.  Online Referrals – There are also host of online resources that provide contractor referral services.  Services range from free listings that allow homeowners to post their project needs on and let contractors contact them to sites that offer reviews of contractors.   

• Angie’s List – This for-profit website aggregates verified consumer reviews of service companies through 1.5 million subscribers who post an average of about 40,000 reviews each month. The concept behind the website is to certify their data collection process by only allowing paid and registered subscribers to access the website, in order to prevent anonymous or biased reviews. 
   
• Find A Pro – This for-profit website offers a free service for homeowners to read reviews and get free estimates from certified home improvement professionals. All contractors on their site have undergone a screening to confirm they have a good reputation in the community. This is done by checking references, conducting background checks, verifying business filings, checking with consumer affairs, and verifying insurance. 
  
• ServiceMagic – This website offers referrals to home improvement contractors, who pay fees to advertise for leads.  Contractors are pre-screened for licenses and insurance as well as criminal and financial issues and offers customer-rated reviews of contractors in your area.  There is no charge to homeowners to use the service.
  
• Craigslist – This free service offers homeowners the opportunity to view advertisements from contractors or post wanted ads describing their project needs on and letting contractors contact them.  Although the majority of Craigslist users are trustworthy and well-intentioned, make sure to look into references, licenses and liabilities when considering a contractor.

5.  Contractors in the Media – Articles about contractors on the internet and in home improvement columns in the newspaper, magazines, trade publications and on radio talk shows in your area can be a great source for finding a qualified, reputable and personable contractor. 

6.  Home Shows – This can be a challenging place to interview contractors since they will be surrounded by other consumers. However, it can be a great place to gather information about companies and to make an initial contact with the contractors. Later it is possible to meet with them at their place of business or in your home. 

7.  Phone Books/Directories – The ‘Yellow Pages’ may be a dated way to locate contractors, but they are still can be a good source to find contact information and view advertisements listing a companies details and range of services.

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