In this article, we’re going to give you 3 tell-tale signs you’re dealing with a bad contractor. We’ll focus on red flags anyone can recognize.
No References
A major warning sign is when the contractor doesn’t have references. They may say they haven’t been in business long enough to have any, though this could mean they just changed their name to escape their prior bad references.
If they do give you references and you can’t verify any of them, you should avoid them. If you do an online search and can’t find anything about them, that may mean they’re too new to have a reputation or have renamed themselves to hide their record. The best action in either case is to stay away.
No Paperwork
A contractor’s license is legally required for all contractors, so make sure your contractor has a valid license in good standing. A contractor who doesn’t have a license may not be qualified to do the type of work they’re seeking to do, or they may have had their license revoked for some reason. Either way, no license should be an instant disqualifier for any contractor.
A contractor who says they are not bonded or insured is a bad contractor. Perhaps they don’t want to bear the cost of the insurance premiums, but now you’re taking the risk that you’ll have to pay to repair any potential damage they could do to your home. You could also be held liable for any injury caused by the said contractor.
Any contractor who says you shouldn’t worry about permits should be shown the door. If the work isn’t done in accordance to the building code and without the proper permits, then it could cause problems. Also, if the person asks to do work without a contract, run.
Funny Money
Another sign of a bad contractor is someone who demands a large down payment. Yes, contractors need a down payment so that they can start bringing in people and buy supplies, however, the standard practice is around 10%. If someone is asking for a much larger down payment, they may be scammers who want to take the money and run. Beware of any contractor who asks for payment for work that hasn’t been completed.
Don’t risk damaging your home by choosing amateurs who don’t really know what they’re doing, or you might have to pay yet another contractor to repair what the first didn’t do right. If you see any warning signs, move on to the next contractor on your list.
Image Credit: Pixabay
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