It is important to hire a professional contractor who has a proven track record and is trustworthy when you need them to work on your house. You could find yourself in a lot of trouble if you choose to use an untrustworthy and/or unlicensed contractor including paying too much, poor workmanship, and having your project left incomplete.
These are some red flags to look for that will help you hire a trustworthy contractor.
- There are no reviews or testimonials for the contractor
It doesn’t matter if you hire a contractor for your home project via a friend or an online search. You should always look online for reviews about any contractor you are considering hiring. It’s a red flag if you don’t see reviews online for a contractor. Every contractor worth their salt will post reviews from customers on their website. Even though you can find reviews online, it is important to read them carefully. Too many negative reviews are just as bad as no reviews.
- No references have been provided by the contractor
Like the previous point, if you don’t know any references for a contractor that you are considering hiring, it is best to move on to someone else. A contractor who doesn’t have any references is an indicator that they don’t possess the experience, expertise, and skills necessary to complete a job. Even if a contractor has references that show past projects, it is important to read the details. To ensure a contractor is reliable, spend time looking at past projects and customers.
- The contractor Requests a Large Down Payment
It’s common to pay a down payment to a contractor. However, if the amount requested seems excessive it could indicate that the contractor is not as trustworthy as they claimed. You won’t have to pay a lot upfront for expensive items such as countertops and kitchen cabinets. In some states, contractors can only charge a certain amount for upfront and down payments.
- The Contractor Will Quote a Very Low-Cost Price
A contractor who offers you an outrageously low price is just as alarming as one who demands large upfront payment. While some contractors may offer lower prices to compete with the other bidders, it is worth noting if the price quoted seems low. It is important to create your estimate to assess the legitimacy of a contractor’s offer. Before you sign a contract, you should always have a breakdown of the estimated costs.
Give us a call and we would be happy to talk to you about your construction needs.
