Tips for finding qualified craftsmen

Remodeling your house is a large project in and of itself, not to mention finding a qualified craftsman to help you complete the task at hand. Working with a craftsman can be a hassle if you don't hire the right one. So how do you go about finding a qualified craftsman?
Start by planning your entire project before you even begin looking for a craftsman. It helps to have the work outlined down to the measurements of what you are changing or adding. Once you have the plans established, do some research and create the budget for your project. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get prices on the equipment you will be using and the general cost of the items you are adding or changing. You may find out that you can't afford the nice granite countertops in your kitchen remodel. Once you have the project established and the budget in place, it is time to begin contacting craftsmen to complete the job.
There are a lot of qualified craftsmen out there who aren't interested in scamming you out of more money. So how can you weed out the good from the bad?
