The Washington Post had a good article two weeks ago that offered up an interesting perspective on the relationship between homeowners and the contractors they hire. From the woman who hired a friend (and regretted it nearly instantly) to the man who held a barbeque for his contractor and crew, the article boiled down to three succinct points: do your homework (check documents and references), use the word-of-mouth network as fully as possible, and find someone who fits your own style and expectations.