Remember, before hiring any contractor, do following:

·Contact Better Business Bureau to find out if contractor is a member of bureau. If so, obtain a copy of bureau’s report. The report contains general information about contractor and will inform you whether or not contractor has a satisfactory record with bureau. The report also contains information such as number of complaints, if any, contractor received within a determined period of time (usually 36 months).

·Ask contractor to provide references and pictures (if applicable) of his or her completed work from previous jobs.

·Make sure contractor is fully licensed and insured.

·Try to obtain a minimum of 3 price quotes for job to be performed.

After you have selected a contractor for your project, be sure to PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING! This can save you down road in event that something becomes a disputable issue in court. Your contract should include a detailed description of work to be performed; materials that will be used; timeframes (dates) for progression and completion of project; a cost breakdown for project and payment information. Penalty clauses should also be included for any breach of contract by either party. The contract should be signed and dated.

By looking for contractors in right places and doing a little research prior to hiring a contractor, you will greatly increase your chances of having a satisfying and relatively trouble free experience that will be a win/win for you and contractor.

4. Moths. Moths can do some serious damage to your rug. Check back regularly for infestation. Moths are common in rugs that are in hidden in dark, such as under a bed.

5. Storage. If you need to store your rug for an extended period of time, roll it tightly into a cylinder. Don't forget to mothproof it first. Cover with kraft paper. Then wrap rolled rug in Tyvek®, which is water resistant and breathable. Do not use plastic as it will not let rug breathe and could lead to mildew. Store in a dry, cool well ventilated area. Don't make mistake of storing it in your attic, or in rafters of your garage.

Cleaning.

Simple, use a professional. This is not a job for a do-it-yourselfer. Consult your phone book for a reputable place. Plan on having it cleaned every 1-3 years, depending on amount of traffic.

Spills. Clean them up immediately. Don't wait for company to leave. Work from outside of spill to center so as not to spread it. If you've got a stain, be cautious with using commercial spot removers, as they could damage your rug. If you do use one, test it first, if at all possible.