How to Find the Right Contractor, According to an HGTV Expert

Let Rico León, host of HGTV's Rico to the Rescue, find you a contractor. The guy knows his stuff, which is why he's stepping up to help homeowners in the Denver area out of complicated renovation situations. "I’ve been through it all,” he says. “On the show, I take what I’ve learned from [my own situations] and help mediate between the contractor and the homeowner."

In an effort to help not just his own clients but us, too, Rico shared his best tips for finding a contractor, as well as some major red flags to look out for.

"You should always ask the contractor for three customer references on jobs completed within the last year," says Rico. "Call those references and ask them questions about quality of work, communication and customer service." Unsure what to ask? HGTV has you covered with this extensive checklist.

There's no better place to find dirt (if there is any). First, check out the contractor's social media accounts, then look for reviews on websites like Yelp, Google and the Better Business Bureau to get a sense of reputation.

This will protect you if any accidents or damages occur during your project. “Ask to see the contractor's license and insurance documents and verify they're up to date,” says Rico. This goes for subcontractors, too.

Obtaining a detailed budget and an outline of processes before the project begins is a must. "Ask for an estimated timeline of milestones, knowing various factors outside of the contractor may affect it," says Rico.

Do your due diligence and ask questions regarding different scenarios and delays that may come up during the project.

This allows you to compare prices as well as get a sense of the market rate for your project. "Provide each contractor with a detailed scope of work so that they can give you an accurate bid," Rico recommends. Conversely, for insurance and claim-related projects, do not submit multiple bids. This will hurt your chances of getting everything approved.