Thanks to the Internet, finding labor has never been easier. Gone are
the days of frantically flipping through the yellow pages, looking for a
contractor, until you finally find someone who can do the job. Not only can you
find a list of labor contractors located in your area online, but you can read
testimonials and reviews about their service to make an educated decision about
who to hire.
Where to Find Labor Online
There are countless websites to find
and hire labor for any kind of job. The two most popular places on the web for
finding labor help are Craigslist and Angie's List.
Craigslist
The Internet's largest classified ads page--where you can
find anything from a job to a used car--can be an extremely useful tool for
finding labor. However, it is not as heavily regulated as other sites and is
home to a lot of con artists looking to take advantage of vulnerable and
unwitting Internet users.
Angie's List
This website is specifically devoted to hosting a listing
of contractors that can do plumbing, electrical work, heating and cooling, and
even roof repair. Angie's List has become one of the most convenient places to
find labor by allowing users to browse reviews of contractors in their area so
they can make an informed and educated decision.
TIP: With any site, it's important to
be on the look-out for any potential scams and always do the appropriate
background research on a company.
Here are some dos and don'ts for hiring
labor from Craigslist or Angie's List:
DO:
- Weigh your options. Shop around and have a few options before you
make your final decision. Pick about three companies or contractors and read
their reviews posted on Angie's List. Personally contact each one, either by
phone or by email, and interview them. Ask them about their experience, their
areas of expertise, and for references for recent jobs they have done.
- Know exactly what kind of job you need done before you begin searching
for labor. You should be able to outline precisely what your job entails.
Doing this will also help you narrow down your search and find the company or
contractor that specializes in the specific type of work you require.
- Ask a lot of questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions about
whatever you're not sure about. When you receive an estimate, make sure to ask
if it includes parts and labor. Ask for the estimate in writing so you can
reference it later on. Asking questions will help you understand everything you
need to know about the company and job, and will let the contractor know that
you are educated on the process.
DON'T:
- Provide the contractor with any personal information or bank information
before they have accepted the job. When using the Internet to find
contractors for labor, you open yourself up to unprofessional companies and
contractors who are looking to scam unsuspecting victims. The best way to avoid
falling prey is to never give out any personal information to a company before
you have made sure that they are valid and trustworthy. Be aware of red flags
such as asking for your credit card information or address.
Pay a large deposit for any kind of job. Another common type
of scam is asking the customer to place a large deposit for the job. You should
never have to pay a large sum of money to a contractor before the work is done.
If you are asked to do so, you should begin looking elsewhere for another
contractor.
- Hire the first company you find. You have the entirety of the
Internet at your fingertips, so use it! If you stumble upon a company near you
with great reviews and a lot of experience, don't just jump the gun and hire
them right away. Keep your eyes peeled for a better deal and get a few more
estimates from other contractors. Chances are, you may find something even
better--and maybe the first company will bring their price down to match it. It
can't hurt to try!