How to find a web proffesional?

Hello:

I have a web project that I would like to hire a person to develop for me. I was wondering what are the initial steps needed to find the right person for my job?

Are there a set of guidelines for finding the right person for a job? Is there a website that rates various web professionals where I can see reviews of their work?

When getting a quote for work done how much interaction should I expect before the clock starts to run?

Thanks,
Ken