We've all been there – the air conditioning unit breaks, the garage door won't open, the toilet doesn't flush, a pipe bursts, the roof is leaking…whatever the issue may be, things in the house just seem to stop working. But, when things like this suddenly pop up, what do you do?

Most people would just try to fix it. Sounds simple! However, in most cases there is an underlining issue and you need a professional! So, you pick up the phone and dial the first business you see listed. Is that the best way to insure that your issue gets fixed the right way, the first time? No!

You want to hire someone you trust, someone who is reliable, and someone that will get the job done. There are so many questions, such as: Who do you call? Are they reputable? Will they take advantage of you? Are they insured? Are they in good standings with the Better Business Bureau? All of these questions are important, and all of these questions should be answered before you ever hire a contractor to fix your issue!

Here are some quick tips:

1. Get recommendations!

Check to see if there are any references out there. If you have pinpointed a potential contractor or are just getting started, check to see what others have said. The best place to start is with friends and family! Most likely, they will have some names of people they have used in the past. However, just going off recommendations does not mean you should hire them! Last year my husband and I bought a house. We purchased new toilets and asked around to see who we should hire to install them. We received a recommendation from my mom (of all people) about a plumber she had used and raved about. We called them up and scheduled an appointment. When the job was complete, they left a mess, the seal around the base of the commode was messy and not sealed properly, the toilets wobbled, and they didn't haul off the old toilets. To make matters worse, when we called to complain and schedule them to come back out, it took almost 3 weeks - which is why I wish we would have done the next step!

2. Do your homework!

It is not enough to hire a contractor based on recommendations! You need to do your homework. If you have a couple of contractors in mind, check to see if they are licensed! Not all states require a contractor to be licensed or bonded. If you aren't sure if your state requires a contractor to be licensed, you can check the consumer protection agency. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see what their ratings and standings are. How long has the company been in business? Are they insured? Will your project require a permit? These things are important to know!

3. Look at reputable sites that post ratings and qualifications!

After you have asked around and did you homework, check to see that everything you have heard and found is correct! There are websites you can utilize when narrowing down your choices. Companies like TC Referrals recommend contractors and businesses based on their standings. TC Referrals puts every professional through an eight point Trust Certification Process before they are allowed on their site. This ensures that every professional is being referred because they have an impeccable reputation in the community, are licensed, bonded and insured, and they are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. Finding websites like this can help you make a decision on which company is right for you!

If you just look through the yellow pages and pick the first company you see, you will most likely be disappointed in the outcome. You could be left with an incomplete job, out more money than you planned, or disappointed in the end product. Be sure to follow these 3 easy steps and you will be on the right path to hiring the perfect contractor!