Essential questions homeowners should ask before hiring a contractor to avoid surprises, protect their investment and keep projects on time and on budget.

Did you know you should go check out the contractor's previous work? Licensed contractor Skip Bedell of Spike TV's "Catch a Contractor" offers his tips to avoid hiring someone who will do shoddy work.

Homeownership comes with many financial and emotional benefits. But wow, can it be a major hassle, particularly if you choose a fixer-upper. No matter the case, there's a good chance you'll need to ...