Hiring a contractor to perform serious renovation work on your home can be an unnerving prospect for many people. You want to ensure that you are getting the best work at a fair price, but if you choose a bad or unscrupulous contractor you will probably get neither.
A poor job by a contractor could end up costing you a great deal of time and thousands of dollars more than you intended to spend, so it is essential that you choose your contractor wisely.
Keep an eye out for these 10 red flags when choosing your contractor or when they are just starting their project. If you do choose a poor contractor, it’s important to move quickly to let them go as soon as it becomes clear they are not living up to your expectations.
1. Be vigilant of scammers
Particularly if you’ve been the victim of a widespread natural disaster, be wary of profiteers and those who would prey on your vulnerability. Some signs that a contractor could be trying to scam you include a lack of contact details like a phone number and business address. They may also be going door-to-door soliciting their services.
2. Upfront payment
Avoid contractors who require 100% upfront payment for the job as well as cash-only payments. This could indicate a lack of legitimacy or skill, and could leave you high and dry if the contractor never comes back to finish the job.
3. High-pressure sales
Another red flag is those contractors who try to push you into signing a contract on the spot. They may offer you a “great deal” but only if you agree to use their services right then and there. Any legitimate contractor understands you need time to think through such a big decision so don’t be pressured to act hastily.
4. No references
If the contractor cannot refer you to another satisfied customer, then do not give them the job. You want a proven track record to ensure they actually have the ability to perform the work well.
5. Lack of permits, license, or insurance
If the builder asks you to obtain the building permits for the job yourself, this may indicate that they are not properly licensed or registered locally and want to avoid detection. Always verify their relevant licenses with the proper authorities, and only give them the job if they have proof of valid insurance as well.
6. Unsatisfactory answers to questions
Whether the potential contractor is overly vague, unwilling, or simply unable to answer your questions about the proposed work or contract, don’t accept unsatisfactory answers to your questions. You are entitled to details and a contractor who is willing to give them to you.
7. Lack of contract
This one is simple, never allow a contractor to complete a job without signing a thorough and legal contract. Period.
8. Lack of communication or poor communication
If you find you can never get in touch with your contractor and he or she doesn’t return your calls, this is a sign that you should not hire them or that you might need to fire them.
9. Solicits a job for you based on leftover materials
We already mentioned avoiding door-to-door contractors, but some may offer you a great deal because they’ve just completed a job for a neighbor and have leftover materials. This could indicate that the contractor is not local or legitimate.
10. Deal too good to be true
If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid it altogether or make sure you conduct thorough research on the contractor to make sure you aren’t being taken advantage of.
Do your best to avoid contractor red flags when hiring for your renovation or construction project. If you believe you have been the victim of an illegal or illegitimate contractor, call the Florida Construction Law Group to talk about your options and give yourself a chance to recoup some of your losses.
