In today's world, it isn't easy locating reputable, quality-driven home improvement contractors. In the past, homeowners located contractors based on who they knew, or who their uncles knew. Word-of-mouth advertising was the driving force in selecting a contractor. You went by who you knew.Today, in a world of electronic media and contractor saturation, the home improvement sector has been bombarded with long lists of 'local' contractors who rage in bid wars, cutting corners to lower costs and hiring day laborers instead of skilled craftsmen. This makes it very difficult for consumers to sort the truly 'great' contractors from the 'fly-by-night' companies.