Vetting and Managing General Contractors

[Laura Thorne]

I am buying my first rental property through a short sale.  The place needs a lot of work and I plan to use a general contractor.   How do you make sure you are working with a good one?  I am asking for references from the last five jobs.  So far no one has gotten back to me!  What are the best ways to manage the contractor through the project?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a great general contractor in the Minneapolis area?  Thank you!