• Check for insurance: Ask your candidates for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, which they are required to carry by law. Workers' comp coverage can be easily verified online at the Department of Financial Services website www.fldfs.com/WC; click on the "Proof of Coverage Database'' icon on the right-hand side. The last thing you need is a lawsuit from a fallen roofer.

NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT

• Reading the fine print: From the estimates you've gathered, you should have an idea of what will be included in the job. To be sure you're getting what you bargained for, take a look at the contract before you sign it. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, too many people don't take the time to find out what they're getting into -- and end up paying dearly for it.

The contract must have the company's name and license number on it, as required by law. Ask that they itemize material and labor costs, and get an outline of when payments will be due. NEVER pay the full contract price up-front.

• Installment schedule: For payment arrangements, we generally recommend the 30-30-40 approach: 30 percent upon signing the contract, another 30 after an inspection or halfway point, and a final payment of 40 percent upon passage of final inspection by building officials. Alternately, if a job requires several steps (as does roofing), you can break it up into 30-30-30-10, with the final 10 percent due upon final inspection. Industry norms vary -- shutter installers usually ask for 50 percent up-front to cover materials; gauge how others did it when you gather references.

• Get a timeframe: In the contract, ask the contractor to specify a timetable for the job. In periods of high demand or material shortages, such as after a hurricane, contractors may be more reluctant to commit to an end date. However, they should be able to give you a start date and, if they don't, they will be held to the state law that requires permits be applied for within 30 days of receiving a deposit totaling more than 10 percent of the contract price (state statute 489.126).

In times of high demand, if the contractor of your choice honestly tells you he won't be able to start for at least four to six months, you can either get in line and pay your deposit or ask if you can be put on a waiting list at no cost.

• Prevent liens: If the job requires work or supplies from an entity other than the company you are hiring, ask for a list of subcontractors and suppliers the contractor will be enlisting for the job. Florida's Construction Lien Law leaves homeowners responsible for non-payment to subs and suppliers. This means you could pay twice for the same job if your contractor heads for the hills with your money. Protect yourself from this disastrous scenario by getting a list of all subs and suppliers and making sure they sign to confirm they've been paid with each installment you give your contractor.

MONITORING THE JOB

As a homeowner, you shouldn't have to apply for the permits yourself or clean up after the crew. However, it is your responsibility to make sure the job is on track. Things to ask yourself:

• Have permits been applied for? Acquaint yourself with your local building department. It can tell you whether permits have been issued or whether they've even been applied for in the first place. It is public record and some cities have made permit information easy to access on the Web.