Hiring a contractor is one of the highest-stakes decisions you can make as a homeowner. When you get it right, the results can be absolutely outstanding. But get it wrong, and you're dealing with issue after issue after issue.
The thing is, most people are unaware of what to look for when choosing the next contractor, and this can lead to mistakes, being wowed by cost alone, and not understanding the scope of the task at hand, the complexity, or the skill of the people they're relying on to realize their vision.
This article is going to look at some things that are huge red flags you need to be aware of when it comes to choosing your next contractor.
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No Physical Address or Local Presence
A legitimate contractor will have a business address, not just a phone number or a website, or just those two. They'll have a physical address for either their offices or the unit they operate out of. You can check this with your local state contractors' licensing board. You'll be able to look up their address if they're listed; if they're not, this is also a red flag.
A good example of this is storm chaser contractors who appear after a major storm, do quick jobs, and then move on. There's nothing to tie them to your area.
You can avoid this by checking in local groups or asking around to make sure people in your area know them and can provide feedback on other services.
Demanding A Large Upfront Payment
A deposit is standard practice. If you're working with a remodeling contractor, then it's expected that you'll be asked for an upfront deposit. Typically, a fair deposit is around 10-20% for a mid-sized project.
If someone is asking for 50% or more upfront, then this is a sign to walk away. A legitimate contractor with suppliers and the cash flow to complete a job without requiring full payment should be standard, not the exception. And this is what you need to be aware of.
Genuine companies will operate this way. They'll have the funds to get things started with your deposit, as they know they can complete the job. If someone is asking for a huge upfront payment, there's a risk they'll take it and disappear with it.
No References for Past Work
If a company is unable or unwilling to give you examples of previous work, or they don't have any references you can contact or reviews online, you can verify that you need to ask what.
You can ask the questions you need to and you should: how did they handle problems, how did they communicate with the client when issues occurred, what do they do if a project is running over projected timescales etc, but if you don't have real examples and scenarios you can see and use to help you understand the contractor and how the work this might not be the right partnership for you.
No Written Contract or Vague Terms
This is standard for any type of work carried out on your home. But especially if you're undergoing large-scale renovations or you have complex work being undertaken.
You need to know specifics: you need to pin down exact heights of countertops, materials used for cabinets, what shade units are going to be in, where they're sourcing materials from, etc. And you need it all written down and locked into a contract for peace of mind for both parties.
The contract needs the discussed timeline, payment schedule, what happens if there are changes, the protocol for unforeseen circumstances, and anything else that can impact how the job is completed. Without this, the only person being protected is the contractor, not you.
Pressure
You should never be pressured into signing anything. Any remodeling contractor who is trying to force your hand or get you to make a fast decision, i.e., the quote is only valid for 48 hours, is doing so to prevent you from doing due diligence. And this is only going to work in their favour, not yours.
A contractor confident in their work and their quote will give you all the information you need and time and space to make the right decision for you. There'll be no hard sell, no need to sign immediately, or risk your quote rising. They'll allow you time to step back, do your research, and make your choice on how to move forward. If they won't wait for you to do this, then you need to walk away and cut contact.
Only Offering the Lowest Bid
The lowest bid isn't always the best value one. In some cases, it might represent the contractor cutting corners in quality or leaving out line items that other bids included, or they’re desperate for work because of a poor reputation. All of these need to be aspects of a quote you think about when you get the fine price.
This is a contributed post.
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