Next to slimy used car salesmen and shoddy Builders, the people
I see taking advantage of consumers the most are remodeling
contractors. Come to think about it, I’d say they are at the top
of the list!
It doesn’t matter how large or small the job is, everyone can
fall victim. I’ve seen homeowners doing $2500 jobs get taken
advantage of just as quick as Clients doing a $157,000 project.
Here are a few fast and hard tips to keep you from getting
hammered and nailed by a remodeling contractor.
If your state requires contractors to be licensed, ask for their
license and follow up with the State to make sure their license
is still current. Also ask for any complaints they may have
against them.
Ask the contractors for a copy of their General Liability
Insurance. Any reputable company will give you a copy. Follow up
with a call to the company to make sure they actually have a
policy and that it is current. Many homeowners has tried to file
a claim against bogus insurance policies. If the contractor
doesn’t have General Liability Insurance, don’t use them.
Period. If someone gets hurt at your home and the contractor
does not have insurance, in many states you can be sued for any
damages!
Ask for a list of recent and past references, including Clients
who were not happy with the contractors work. If you deal with
the general public enough, you’ll have unhappy clients. Everyone
does. If the contractor tells you he doesn’t, either they have
not been in business very long or they are lying.
Check with the BBB in your area to see if there have been any
claims against the contractor. If so, see how they followed up.
The BBB is not a guarantee against hiring a bad contractor, many
times good ones are not listed with the BBB. Many of us who are
self employed see the BBB as just another organization who makes
money off of business’s through advertising.
Do not pay the contractor in cash! At the very least, pay them
with a check. A credit card is even better, however some do not
accept credit cards. That’s okay as long as they’ll take a
check. If they refuse and only want cash, send them along their
way. ‘Cash Only’ contractors are a red flag.
Pay the contractor in ‘draws’. Most contractors are use to
getting paid as they go along. A draw payment is a partial
payment. Normally the contractor will get paid something like
25% before they begin as a deposit, then another 25% part of the
way through, then another 25% when they near completion and then
the final 25% when they are finished. This is a rough sketch of
a draw just to give you an idea how contractors work. Avoid any
contractors who want the money up front, that’s not how
legitimate contractors work.
Have plans (blueprints) and a contract for your remodeling job
drawn up. Yes, plans and contracts cost money. Without plans or
a contract, it’s your word against theirs, and their word wins
more times than not. Along with the plans, have specifications
of what you want drawn up as well. Specify everything, from the
type of lumber to the brand and type of faucets you’ll be
installing. Leave nothing to chance! Plans and specifications
are the 'parts list' for your remodeling project. Without them,
it's up the the contractor as to what goes in the project. Trust
me, don't leave it up to a contractor!
Good luck on your remodeling project. And remember, there are
shady contractors with big ads in the phone books and driving
new pickups just looking for their next victim. Don’t you be it!
|
|
© 2004 GetFreeEstimates.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
