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By ANGIE HICKS Special to the Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2009

Land O' Lakes resident Phil Digristina called a company recently to replace his roof and got a quick response. Negotiating the terms of the deal was a lot easier than past experiences, too.

"I would think under today's conditions you probably could do a better bargaining job," Digristina said. "I wasn't trying to rake anybody over the coals, but I didn't want to be taken either."

Homeowners plan to take advantage of deals made possible by the economic downturn by investing more in their homes this year compared with last, according to a nationwide, commissioned poll of Angie's List members.

More than 50 percent of respondents said now is a good time to make those investments; 19 percent said the timing's bad. More than 60 percent said they're planning a home improvement project in 2009, and most said they'd hire professionals to get it done.

Most also plan to pay for the work outright rather than to finance it. Members who reported they invested in home improvement last year said they spent a median average of $7,500. This year, the median planned is up to $8,000.

Digristina didn't hire based on price alone.

"I picked the one I thought would be the best," he said. "He wasn't the cheapest."

The downturn in the economy has created a good situation for consumers in a position to spend. Many quality contractors are looking for work, so they're willing to negotiate.

"I would recommend that people be really open-minded about looking for different sources of discounts," said Safety Harbor resident Tina Wright, who recently had much of her home remodeled.

The downside is - there are a lot of unqualified contractors out there scouting, too. Homeowners need to be extra cautious, and never hire based on price alone.

Cynthia Parris said she normally cringes at the thought of hiring a contractor, but she and her husband, Dana, found a quality remodeler to update a St. Petersburg townhome they plan to sell.

"Everybody needs work here and there, and if a person doesn't have that good reputation, he's going to be looking for work, especially in times like these," Parrish said. "I think when money is a little bit tighter, you're going to want to make sure you get somebody good. I think you're pickier about what you get."

HIRING QUALITY

Angie's List offers these tips for hiring good contractors and avoiding unqualified ones:

AVOID door-to-door solicitors and those who accept only cash payments, offer discounts for finding customers, or pressure you to make a quick decision.

VERIFY the business is licensed to operate in your area.

CHECK the company's credit report to make certain it's financially sound.

ASK the contractor for several references from customers who've had worked completed - and check them. Visit the job sites if possible.

NEVER sign a contract containing blank spaces.

GET at least three estimates for your job. Documentation is often the best ammunition if things go wrong. If you have to pay for it, be sure the fee comes off your final bill if you hire that contractor.

PROBLEMS?

LET THE CONTRACTOR KNOW you're unhappy. Ask him or her to take specific action to remedy the situation.

FOLLOW UP with a letter. Keep records of all written correspondence as well as receipts, canceled checks and credit card statements. If a business requests documents, send a copy, never an original. Keep a log of all conversations, including the date and time of the call, what was said and with whom you spoke.

REPORT suspected unethical or illegal behavior to the proper authorities.

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List, www.angieslist.com.

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