I definitely have to agree with user Gizmo in regards to finding a contractor that is reputable. With my experience, I have found that many of them take the money and never come back. They want to be paid either before starting work or every day. I would prefer to pay them in a lump sum once the work is completed as per the agreement. But the continue to hound you for payment, so you finally give in and they do not show up for days and sometimes not at all. So you loose.

Another experience is:They have not performed what they agreed to do, and then claim that we never discussed it and request more money in order to finish the work. This is why having a contract is important with any contractor you choose then there is something in writing and they cannot change their mind later.

But trying to find a contractor willing to sign an agreement is very difficult as well. They always use the trust factor, as I call it.