Homeowners often complain of projects that cost more than estimated, delays, low-quality workmanship, miscommunications, and outright scams, all of which can pack a wallop to your wallet.

While due diligence isn&&9;t a guarantee that your home repair experience will be stress-free, it&&9;s the best way to protect yourself from these nightmares.

Perhaps a friend or neighbor recommended a repair person, or maybe you found one via an online forum or in the phone book. Remember that a recommendation is just the first step in securing reputable help. Do be sure that you also keep these important things in mind:

1. Ask the service professional you are considering to provide references. You&&9;ll want to contact at least two other sources who can confirm a job well done.

2. Make sure whoever you hire has adequate insurance (both general liability and worker&&9;s compensation) to cover any mishaps in your home. Otherwise you may be liable for the coverage if the unthinkable happens.

3. Check to see that your prospective contractor has professional credentials and affiliations. A contractor who is affiliated with organizations in his or her field is more likely to stay abreast of new developments in their area of expertise, as well as having access to the professional resources available to members. Your job is safer in the hands of someone who is in the field as a career, rather than simply trying out a new sideline.

Often, you&&9;ll see the words "licensed, bonded, and insured" in advertisements for home fix-it professionals. Licensing refers to a professional registration with a governing body (like a state) that typically requires the contractor to adhere to certain standards business cards. If a contractor is bonded, it means he or she has set aside funds in an account that is secured by the state; these funds are made available should a consumer win a claim against a company. And again, insurance is an important safeguard for your protection (as well as the company&&9;s) should anything go terribly wrong.

4. Find a home pro who accepts credit cards. Paying by credit card affords you much greater protection than cash or check in case you are dissatisfied with a job.

5. Get it all in writing. Make sure your estimate details each part of the work to be done, what kind/quality of materials will be used, who is responsible for supplying the materials, and a comprehensive cost breakdown so you can see exactly for what services you&&9;ll be paying.

6. Reward longevity. Many years in the business means that many more previous customers you can contact for a recommendation.

Of course, no one can guarantee that the home repairs you hire out will be problem-free, but taking these steps is as close as you can get to ensuring quality workmanship. That&&9;s peace of mind you can take all the way to the bank.

For more Foolishness:

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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- British stocks tentatively built on recent gains in a holiday-shortened trading session on Thursday, with miners advancing amid higher commodity prices

The U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.1%, or 5.22 points, to 5,377.60.

The British stock market and selected Continental equity markets close early on Thursday for the Christmas break. Shares trading in Europe on Thursday were also in a tight range. See Europe Markets.

U.S. stock futures were pointing to mild gains on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 index ended 0.8% higher on Wednesday, with the move bringing gains made in the first three sessions of the week to 3.4% and year-to-date gains to 21.2%.

The index is almost back at its 2009 closing high of 5,382.67, hit on Nov. 16.

Miners have performed strongly this year and were higher again on Thursday, with BHP Billiton shares up 1 low cost payday loans.4% and Anglo American shares up 1.2%.

Silver miner Fresnillo gained 2.6% and copper miner Kazakhmys advanced 1.2%.

The gains for the sector came as metal futures advanced, with gold futures up $10.10 at $1,104.20 an ounce. Light sweet crude oil futures were up 18 cents at $76.85 a barrel in electronic trading and sterling traded up 0.2% at $1.5993 against the dollar.

Still, gains for the top London index were kept in check by losses for some banks and insurance companies.

RSA Insurance Group shares were down 1.4% and shares of banking giant HSBC Holdings lost 0.7%.

London Markets: British stocks gain for fourth straight session

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Bernard Madoff, the man behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, has been moved to a medical facility at the federal prison complex where he's serving a 150-year sentence.

Madoff, 71, was in a medium-security facility of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina. However, on Dec. 18 he was moved to Butner Federal Medical Center, part of the prison complex that houses male inmates of all security levels, Traci Billingsley, a spokeswoman at Federal Bureau of Prisons, said in an email to MarketWatch.

It's not clear why Madoff was moved infra red heaters.

"The potential reasons for an inmate's transfer are numerous and we don't release those specific reasons," Billingsley said.

Ira Sorkin, Madoff's lawyer, didn't immediately respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment on Wednesday afternoon.

Madoff pleaded guilty earlier this year to running a Ponzi scheme that left investors with tens of billions of dollars in losses. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison in June.

Madoff moved to prison medical facility