Many homeowners hire services to do this noisy fall cleanup.

The homeowner had hired two previous contractors - the first was dismissed because of a lack of skill, the second because communications had broken down.

Other homeowners along the beach have hired security guards to keep people out.

Under the program, homeowners who qualify may hire home-repair contractors of their own chosing.

Many homeowners who rent their properties hire caretakers instead of property managers in order to save money.

Experts advise that homeowners hire a different company to evaluate the problem from the one that will actually do the work.

Another seven million homeowners hire services to care for their lawns.

But there are concerns that some homeowners are hiring unlicensed or unreputable contractors whose work will not measure up to building codes or fire laws.

Some Take Chances Rather than wait for experienced contractors, many homeowners are hiring novices without checking their references, consumer advocates said.

In some communities, homeowners must hire a professional to remove paint applied before 1977 because it may contain hazardous amounts of lead.