After the post of 12/06, I thought I'd contribute a "senior" story. We needed to hire a good contractor to remodel our 2 bathrooms and make minor adjustments to accommodate my husband's motorized wheelchair (long story). Prior to this, we drew up the plans, submitted them, changed them to abide by codes, and built/remodeled. We cannot do this anymore. Not knowing contractors, we asked our local building supplies stores, the BBB, a friend who is a contractor, etc. We got 2. The first one wanted $1K down. He did 4 hours work, messed up our pumping (was suppose to be a licensed plumber on top of general contractor). We found he was wanted in 2 states for fraud after he disappeared. They found his body in a cabin. Cause of death? Alcohol. Second one did great work until Elk hunting season began. They went for a week which we agreed upon prior to contract signing. After they came back, they spent less time here. Finally, after new year's, they called to arrange time to come over. We had already sent them a letter of release which the BBB told us to send. We finished the bathrooms ourselves except for electrical and plumbing. What should have cost us about $3500 in labor and $4000 in materials ended up costing us an additional $5400 to fix the plumbing, fix a major joist, leaks, painting, etc. We are now building the porch and wheelchair ramp that was to be built by the second contractor. We began "remodeling" in August 2007. The bathrooms were finished (save minor things I need to do) August 13, 2008. We are just starting the porch. Oh, the contractor the BBB and job services sent out . well, we had to redo 9 of 12 posts because he didn't know how to make a straight line. My husband is in a wheelchair, I am disabled. It may kill us but we'll never hire another contractor. Oh, my house is definitely a "not so big" house. We have 976 sq. ft. occupied by 3 adults, 4 dogs (2 XLG), and 2 cats. We occasionally have one of my daughter's friends stay over. Space management? I'm good!