Finding and hiring reliable contractors

[Brendan Henry-Lambert]

Hey BP community! My name is Brendan and I live and invest in Baltimore, MD. My business partner and I are looking to start our first rehab project come January, 2018, and we're currently searching for the right contractor(s) to help our business flourish this coming year and beyond. Having met with and interviewed several contractors, I find it difficult to distinguish those who I can and cannot trust and who will really live up to their promises. So, BP, I am curious:

Where do you look to find the best contractors?

How do you evaluate contactors and make sure you know what you're getting yourself into?

What NOT to say when interviewing and negotiating with contractors?

How does the bidding process work?

( And of course, any referrals would be great :)! ) - Thanks! Brendan.