From screened porch to four-season room: A home improvement story

Getting started was the barrier that had stopped Kinsman all those years. To overcome it, she asked personal contacts for a contractor recommendation and found a good match that way. “You know when a contractor comes into your home if they’re the right person based on how they listen to you,” she said.

In her experience, these are three signs of a good contractor:

1. Good listening skills: “The right person will defer to you on decisions versus just trying to get things done quickly,” she said.
2. Adaptable style: “Some homeowners want to be super involved and others less so — a good contractor can work with either end of the spectrum,” she said.
3. Local knowledge: “Look for someone who’s known in the community and who has worked on houses like yours,” she said.

Mostly, she thinks the key to hiring a good contractor is trusting your gut at the first meeting.