How to Spot a Bad Contractor
Choosing the person you’re going to have work on your home can be an experience that carries a stressful amount of risk. One of the first things we know to do from a previous blog is to find someone who is certified, and a work history that inspires your trust. But, because the contractor you choose will usually be a stranger, there are a few more things you can look out for to avoid unwelcome surprises when the job is “done”. This week, we’ll review some key ways to spot a contractor who’s not what they seem.
Low, LOW Prices
If a contractor is giving you a quote that is so far lower than competitors it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It’s important to remember that this is a home you’re investing in, and chances are, you’re going to get what you pay for. It’s possible the contractor you’re dealing with doesn’t understand how big of a job he has to do, or worse, he does and you’ll have to deal with extra costs after they’ve gotten started. Either way, you’ll end up paying more than the quote he gave you.
Beware of Scare Tactics
If a contractor is spending a lot of time creating a doomsday scenario that’s absolutely going to happen if you don’t hire him immediately, chances are that’s a contractor you’d like to avoid. Selecting a contractor you can trust should be a process, and the good ones will understand that.
Upfront Payments
If a contractor is demanding that you pay him and sign to say the job has been done before you’re satisfied, run the other way. The only thing stopping that contractor from taking advantage of your trust after that point is, well, nothing. You’ll also want to be sure that if the job does get done, it passes inspection and that you get proof of payment. Otherwise, anyone that wasn’t paid by your contractor, can come after you. If you don’t have proof that you paid, and your contractor has mysteriously gone missing, you may just end up paying double.
Bad References
There are two big red flags that should steer you away from a bad contractor. They are, unhappy previous customers, and no previous customers. If the contractor you’re vetting can’t produce a single person who he’s worked for that will vouch for the quality of his work, do yourself a favor, and keep yourself off his list of prior customers.
Refusal to Sign A Contract
A good contractor shouldn’t have any problem giving you peace of mind in the form of a legally binding agreement. A bad one, will avoid a paper trail like the plague. If a contractor won’t sign anything at all, consider that their personal warning to you and look elsewhere.
Remember that at iClose Homes, we buy houses, we are cash homes buyers in San Antonio – we can close quickly and on your time frame, so if for whatever reason you can’t go through the normal drawn out “For Sale” process or simply don’t want to deal with the hassles of listing your house for sale, contact us at (210) 588-9999 or click here.
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