Too many consumers are disappointed in the services their contractor provides, or worse, ripped off by the person they trusted to help improve their home. Some states have no licensing requirements, which can make it difficult for homeowners to check up on companies before they hire. Here are some tips to protect yourself:

• Clearly define your project. Before you begin talking with contractors, pick up remodeling magazines, search the Internet for information on designs and materials, and then put your ideas on paper. Even rough ideas on paper are better than nothing at all. It will give a potential contractor a better sense of what your expectations are and what you are hoping to accomplish.

• Do you need a general contractor? Once you know what you want done, consider what you realistically can accomplish on your own.

• Consider an architect. If you are eliminating walls, adding rooms or doing anything that impacts the structure of your home, an architect or structural engineer may be a good idea.

• Ask around. Ask neighbors and friends who’ve had work done for references.

• Do your research. Don’t just hire based on a conversation. Check the performance record of the contractor you plan to hire through Angie’s List, the National Association of The Remodeling Industry and the Better Business Bureau. Get names of previous customers and find out if they were pleased with the work and the timeline of the project, as well as if they’d hire the contractor again. Get the names of subcontractors and ask if they work with the contractor often and whether he pays on time.

• License for hire: In states or cities where licenses are required, don’t rely on the contractor’s word to know whether his or her license is valid: check it out through the appropriate agency. Check the status of the contractor’s bonding and liability insurance coverage too.

• Know your budget. Remember that even the most careful budget will change. Experts warn to expect an increase of 10 or 15 percent on top of the proposal — more if your project includes hidden problems.

• Review all aspects of the contract before you sign. Often, homeowners assume certain specifics are included, such as appliance installation. Know the details of the contract, as well as how any change orders will be handled. Check that your contract includes a lien waiver, covering payments to all subcontractors who worked on the project.

• Be wary of contractors who want large deposits up front. As a general rule, don’t pay more than half.

• Confirm the “punch list” procedure. Basically, this is how the contractor will deal with the list of small items remaining to be completed at the end of the job. A good rule of thumb is to determine the cost of those items, double it, then withhold that amount from the final payment, until the list is complete.

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