A verbal contract is not good enough when it comes to your home. Jobs that require a lot of work should be underlined with a contract to ensure all you've agreed on is outlined in writing.

"US construction projects do not rely on one standard contract form," explains Lexology. "The most commonly used forms are those developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), or are state-specific."

Make sure yours covers things such as what happens in the case of unforeseen circumstances, what you'll do if you’re not happy with the result and whether any penalties are incurred if work runs late.

26 questions you must ask a contractor before they start