hiring a Contractor can be a daunting task.  There are a few things you should consider. is your contractor licensed and for how long?  Obtaining a Contractor license is fairly easy in Arizona if you have the required experience, and your not a criminal. You should also consider how long a contractor has been in business, But at least you will know that you are protected if they are licensed, and you are not letting a criminal in your home.  if your contractor is licensed you are protected by a bond.  A bond will pay to complete your project is the contractor goes out of business, or does not complete the project according to the workmanship standards or local codes.  You should also check the ROC site to see if you contractor has active complaints against them, this is not alway indicative of a bad contractor, especially if it is ongoing or a current violation.