OUTSIDE THE BOX WAY TO FIND A CONTRACTOR

I was into a flip project that was NOT near where I lived and NOT near any projects that I had done, and I needed contractors for this project. So, I thought to myself - Where do contractors hang out?  NO, not the bars!

They hang out at places like Home Depot, Lowes, local building supply companies, local plumbing supply houses, roofing supply companies, etc. So, I parked near the Contractor's Entrance of the nearest Home Depot to my project site (if a contractors shops there, chances are they service that geographical area, and can service my project) at 6:30AM!  

Why so early? Simple. If a contractor arrives that early then they are dedicated to getting the project started on time (probably not recovering from a hang over from the night before) and doesn't make it a habit of sleeping in. This allied me to see the shape and condition of the vehicle that they were driving (was it clean, organized, and did it have a sign on it), as well as what they came out with in the way of supplies (if they had lumber, then they are capable of framing; if they had plumbing supplies, then they could do plumbing, etc.).

Then I approached them and asked "Do you do work for real estate investors?" If they responded yes - I asked for their card, told them that I had a project nearby and would give them a call. Then I called the ones that seemed to match what I needed and arranged a time to meet them - AT THEIR JOB SITE. Why? I want to see their work and job site BEFORE they meet me at mine for a walk-thru / quote.

So, this worked so well in locating the contractors that I needed that I have continued to use this tactic when needed.  Hopefully you have luck with it too.