Whether you’re in need of large-scale home repairs or renovations, skilled contractors can prove tremendously helpful. The right contractors will be able to perform a variety of specialized tasks, stick to reasonable timetables and complete jobs without going over-budget. Unfortunately, not all contractors are as professional and obliging as others. As any longtime homeowner can confirm, choosing the wrong contractor for a job can result in endless headaches, intense frustration and financial hardship. To help ensure that you don’t wind up with a dud, keep an eye out for the following red flags the next time you find yourself in need of a contractor.
1. Lack of Licensing
When working with an unlicensed contractor, you’ll be taking on a number of risks. For starters, if this person couldn’t be troubled to obtain a contractors’ license through your local jurisdiction, how professional can you really expect their attitude and work ethic to be? Secondly, if a contractor lacks licensing, they more than likely lack insurance. This means that there’s no guarantee they’ll cover any accidental damage they cause during the course of their work.
In many cases, unlicensed contractors charge less than licensed ones. Since jobs that involve contractors tend to be expensive, it’s easy to see why budget-conscious homeowners may be tempted to go the unlicensed route. However, while this may seem like a good idea in the short term, there’s a good chance you’ll regret it in the long run. Licensed contractors may cost more, but most of them stand by their work and provide a greater degree of accountability than their license-lacking contemporaries. So, before committing to do business with a contract, request to see proof of licensing and insurance.
2. Refusal to Provide a Quote
Any contractor with whom you do business should be willing to provide you with a detailed quote. This will give you a solid idea of how much you can expect the final bill to be and help ensure that you’re able to budget accordingly. If a contractor refuses to provide a quote or quickly provides one sight unseen, this should be taken as a red flag. Refusal to offer quotes is often an indicator that a contractor intends to load up the final bill with hidden fees and incidental expenses. Since a quote would provide you with a good frame of reference, this type of contractor would prefer that you not have one. Not only is it a good idea to receive a quote from any contractor you intend to hire – you should also get quotes from at least one or two other contractors to confirm that you’re not being overcharged.
3. Refusal to Sign a Contract
In addition to providing a meticulous quote, a contractor should be willing to sign a contract that details the exact services being performed, the materials required for the job and the estimated amount of time needed to complete their work. As is the case with quotes, refusal to commit to a contract should be taken as a sign that you should pursue other options. Furthermore, the contract should be as detailed as possible and leave little room for broad interpretation.
4. Negative Customer Feedback
In the digital age, it’s become easier than ever for consumers to make their voices heard. In addition to popular social media platforms, consumer-oriented websites and message boards serve as convenient places to rate businesses of all types. So, no matter who the contractor is, odds are you’ll be able to find feedback from former clients with ease. When perusing what former clients have to say, take note of any behaviors that strike you as particularly disagreeable. Additionally, if negative reviews outnumber positive ones, it’s generally a good idea to move on to the next candidate on your list. To find helpful feedback for local contractors, simply bring up your favorite search engine and look for “construction contractors near me”.
It’s easy to see why many homeowners dread working with contractors. Even if you have no personal experience with them, odds are you’ve heard numerous horror stories about sloppy, inattentive contractors. While there are many good contractors out there, the bad ones tend to leave an impression that clients don’t soon forget. Fortunately, preventing yourself from hiring the wrong contractor doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. By watching out for the previously discussed red flags, you can dramatically lower your chances of getting stuck with a lemon.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
