Money Makers, Money Savers: Home Remodeling

(WUSA) -- "It was my dream because I love the country," says Debbie Boateng of her house in Churchton, Maryland.

Even though it needed a floor to ceiling renovation, Debbie was ready for the challenge. She hired a contractor to make her dream a reality.

That decision quickly became a $5000 mistake. The amount she paid for work the contractor never performed.

Then a friend told Boateng about Angie's List. Started by Angie Hicks 10 years ago, the list is compiled by consumers. Customers write reports--either favorable or critical--on contractors they've used. For $6 a month, you get access to these reports.

Contractors get grades of A-B-C-D or F. Just like a report card.

Debbie eventually found electrician Robert Welborne of R&R Electric on the list. Now he's rewiring her entire house. He has earned straight A's on Angie's List.

"I would give them straight A's up and down," says Debbie. "The personality, contact, promptness, everything to the T."

To protect the integrity of the list, Angie Hicks says you can't report a contractor anonymously. Or stack the deck with multiple entries.

"We actually have people reviewing the reports as they go into the system," says Hicks, "Looking for trends or red flags that question the validity of the information."

In addition to home improvement contractors, Angie's List grades: lawn care companies, auto mechanics, pet care, florists, even clowns for your kids' birthday party, you name it.