When considering whether to hire a contractor to help you repair your barn, it is a good idea to solicit bids from at least three prospective contractors. The bids should be based on the same building specifications, materials, labor, and time needed to complete the project.

Be sure to discuss the bids in detail with each contractor and be sure that you understand the reasons for any variations in price. Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best bid. One contractor’s bid might be higher because the materials to be used are of a better quality or because the work will be especially thorough and therefore, require more time and labor. Always ask for references and find out if these customers were satisfied with the contractor’s work. If possible, visit and inspect their completed projects.

Find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association which has standards or a code of ethics and be sure to contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to find out how long the contractor has been in business and whether the contractor has been responsive to any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

Ask the contractor if he and his company are insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents. Be sure to call the insurance agency and insurance company to verify the contractor’s insurance coverage.

Check with the state, county, or city authority to see if the contractor must meet certain licensing or bonding requirements in your area. If so, make sure your contractor is properly licensed and bonded. Lastly, never pay a contractor for the entire job in advance and avoid paying in cash whenever possible.

The barn contractors listed below were referred to the Iowa Barn Foundation. There is no endorsement implied or intended for any contractor listed here.

Barton Maintenance Service 2685 Cass Avenue Mount Pleasant, IA 52641 (319) 258-7200	Mitch Kern 4257 560th Avenue West Bend, IA 50597 (515) 320-1821
Barritt and Sons Box 389 Fulda, Minnesota 56131 (507) 425-2879	Dean Lawson Painting 1218 8th St. Onawa, Iowa 51040 (712) 433-9831
Iowa Barn Savers Dan Schmitt Highway 52 Guttenberg, IA 52052 (563) 880-4627 (barn restoration)	Dan Masters 18731 1900 North Avenue Princeton, IL 61356 (815) 872-2016
Brinck’s Construction & Cabinet Company 413 E Grove P.O. Box 142 Lawler, Iowa 52154 (866) 847-3202 (563) 238-3202	Meyer Contruction Dalen Meyer PO Box 331 Dumont, Iowa 50625 (641) 857-6636
Clair Carolan Painting P.O. Box 96 Fort Atkinson, IA 52144 (563) 534-7187	John Pischke 2660 252nd Street DeWitt, IA 52742 (563) 659-3476 (19th century limestone building restoration)
Gary Dose 3117 Pocahontas Avenue Danbury, IA 51019 (712) 883-2364	Richard Smart 525 12th Street West Des Moines, IA 50265 (515) 280-6796
Dana Duppler 133 West Water Shullsburg, WI 53586 (608) 965-4446	Telenko Barn Restoration Jim Telenko Barnum, MN 55707 (218) 389-6753 - or- (320) 224-5100
Roger Gwinnup 2430 Echo Avenue Northwest Oxford, IA 52322 (319) 628-4930 (barn restoration contractor)	Terrasol Restoration Mark Johnson 200 South Minnesota Avenue Saint Peter, MN 56082 (507) 934-1818
Dennis Hankemeier 18558 Bernard Road Bernard, IA 52032 (563) 652-4425 (barn restoration and repair)	Trillium Dell Timberworks, Inc. 1277 Knox Road 1600 N. Knoxville, IL 61448 (309) 299-2906 http://www.trilliumdell.com
Chuck Hoy 606 E. Oak Street Mechanicsville, IA 52306 (563) 432-6496	Walker Custom Siding 190 1st Avenue Round Lake, MN 56167 (507) 945-0173 http://www.walkercustomsiding.com (service area: Northern Iowa)