[quote=j]Learn about joint checks. It can save you from buying stuff twice if your contractor goes belly up.[/quote]
This is good advice.
Unfortunately, both of our contractors didn’t like the idea. (Perhaps that should have been a clue.)
And – if the job is big enough, you might consider a fund-control account. I know Dixieline has this service. This is basically an escrow account that will cut the checks to the contractor. It reassures the contractor that you have the $$ to pay for the job. And it provides the homeowner with another check/balance that milestones are met before checks are cut.
