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Painting or floors: What comes first in a remodel

Angie Hicks, Angie’s List (MCT);
4:28 p.m. EDT May 1, 2014

Jimmy Lockridge rips up flooring in a home in Cottonwood subdivision in Franklin as volunteers with Oasis Church help in the background on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.(Photo: Jeanne Reasonover/The Tennessean)

Dear Jane: Thankfully, this isn't quite the conundrum posed by the old "chicken or egg" question. Top-rated remodelers tell our team that the right answer depends on the situation.

If you paint before doing a flooring project, you'll avoid the hassle of paint drips or spills, ladder scuffs or other hazards to the new floor.

If you start with a hardwood flooring project and follow with painting, you'll avoid the dusty mess from sanding. Also, flooring workers may scuff walls or baseboards or the polyurethane coating might splatter.

However, if your project includes other components, such as cabinetry and countertops, the order of work will depend on when those are scheduled.

Overall, you'll have fewer problems if you take care to hire an experienced remodeling contractor. That means asking the following questions before signing a contract:

How long have you been in business? Do you have a physical address? You want to work with a company that has an established record, and will be in business during and after the job.

Are you appropriately licensed and adequately insured? Confirm that the company carries workers' compensation insurance and general liability insurance in case of accidents on the job. Ask for copies of the policies.

How do you deal with complaints? Check the company's reputation with a trusted online review site. Make sure to get client references, and take time to contact them.

What does your contract look like? Review the company's standard document to make sure it covers all basics, including payment terms and schedule, but add other details that are important to you. Get all promises in writing, and spell out exactly what the contractor will do.

Good guys vs. Bad guys

Before you hire anyone to do work around your home, check these sites:

Renegade Renovators: Westchester County's Office of Consumer Affairs maintains a "bad guy" list. Find it, and a lot of information on how to choose a contractor at http://consumer.westchestergov.com/home-contractors/choosing-a-contractor

Rockland County Department of Consumer Affairs: Go here to check if the contractor you are planning to hire is licensed: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/. You can also file a complaint, and find consumer tips.

Better Business Bureau: To check out whether a business, firm or worker is reputable, go here: http://newyork.bbb.org/consumers/ You can also report shady companies to the BBB.

Westchester County Clerk: This is a good resource to check whether a contractor is licensed. Call them at 914-995-3082 or visit the website www.westchesterclerk.com