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In order to find the right contractor for your project, it is important that you know what signs to look out for. Here are 20 of them!
The “signs of a good contractor” is a list of 20 signs that you may have hired a bad contractor. The signs include: poor communication, lack of planning, and not following through with work.
Working with the correct contractor is critical to the profitability and success of any real estate investment. If you choose the incorrect contractor, you risk losing your time and money. We consulted with industry experts to find out the top warning signals to look for when hiring a contractor.
According to the experts, these are the 20 telltale indications of a lousy contractor:
1. They don’t have a lot of positive feedback.
Warner Robins Real Estate Blog owner Anita Clark
If they don’t have a lot of positive feedback from customers, they may not be the best contractor to deal with. Always read internet reviews before making a decision. Find trustworthy internet review sites including the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Porch, Yelp, Thumbtack, and even Google reviews and Facebook page reviews.
2. They take on too much work.
Bruce Ailion, Broker & Attorney, The Ailion Team
Frequently, you engage a contractor with the expectation that he and his A-team would complete the project. Contractors often overcommit to projects. This suggests they’ll be late, maybe messy, work hastily, or send a replacement they just happened to pick up. When the subcontractors that come up don’t match the quality of the contractor you hired, you know you’ve got a problem. If the team that arrives isn’t adequately equipped or seems to be having trouble with the project in any manner, it’s time to call a stop and get down with the contractor to get things back on track. It is more costly to redo a poor work than it is to perform a good one the first time.
3. They are lacking in experience.
Walnut Street Finance CEO Bobby Montagne
One of the most significant traits to look for in a contractor is experience. It’s critical to collaborate with someone who has appropriate and relevant expertise for the position you’re looking for. If the contractor is new and lacks experience, he may also lack the requisite abilities to do the task properly.
4. They start working, then disappear, only to reappear.
Chantay Bridges, CNE, SRES, Real Estate Agent & Coach, Real Estate Professionals World Enterprise Marketing
This contractor merely performs a little amount of work, just enough to get the task done, and then he vanishes. You ask him to return, and he eventually returns, performs a little more, and then vanishes. For months, I went back and forth, never quite completing it. He’ll even make up reasons like you need to go to the shop to get a certain item, then go back to work on another project. You ring to say you’ve returned, but he’s already gone.
5. They have far lower rates than others.
eClean Magazine Publisher Allison Hester
Contractors are often one-person firms, which saves money. They may save money by not spending money on marketing their firm. Even with those factors in mind, a much lower rate indicates that something isn’t quite right. They almost definitely do not have insurance, do not spend money on travel to training events, do not keep up with the newest technology and procedures, and do not have worker’s compensation, among other things. They leave town as soon as they have messed up your property. Paying extra for excellent professional services is preferable than employing a part-time low-baller who would charge you a considerably lesser amount but will either perform a poor job or ruin your property.
They don’t have the proper permits.
SimpleShowing Real Estate Broker, Fred McGill
When a contractor fails to get a permission from the local municipality for a significant, specialized project, this is a huge red flag. Most localities, for example, demand a permission for substantial plumbing, electrical, or structural renovations. This guarantees that common construction regulations are followed and, in the end, certified by a municipal inspector.
7. They Despise Written Contracts
BeenVerified’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Lavelle
If the contractor prefers to make verbal agreements but becomes uncomfortable when you ask him to put what you agreed to in writing, there’s a good probability he won’t keep his word. It’s vital to document everything, no matter how little or trivial you believe it is. Don’t work with someone who refuses to sign a formal contract since he may not keep his half of the arrangement.
8. Can’t Provide Current References & Project Samples
Real Estate Partners With Re/Max First, Cody Tritter, Managing Partner
Contractors should have references for both customers and trades that they deal with that are current or newer. They should also provide samples of previous projects on which they have worked. There might be serious red flags if those requirements aren’t met. Make careful to go through their work and follow up on any references they provide.
9. They make a lot of promises.
Realtor.com’s Lisa Gordon is a real estate author.
Be wary of contractors that make too many promises, such as claiming a much reduced price or a significantly faster service delivery. If something seems to be too good to be true, it most often is. The contract should incorporate all agreements. If it’s only verbal promises, they’ll almost certainly be broken.
10. They Have Poor Interpersonal & Social Skills
Trademark Interiors’ Managing Partner, Paul DeFeis
When you work with a contractor, you’ll be speaking with them often and spending a lot of time with them. It might be difficult to operate successfully with a contractor who lacks interpersonal and social skills. It might be a hint that the contractor is tough to work with if he doesn’t know how to socialize and engage socially.
11. They are often late for meetings.
Teris Pantazes, EFynch.com Co-Founder
In meetings, a good contractor should be professional and on time. If the contractor is often late, it’s a sign that he doesn’t know how to manage his time effectively. You may anticipate him doing your assignment late and not according to his schedule.
12. The Project Cost Continues to Rise
Sophie Kaemmerle, Neighbor Who’s Communications Manager
There are occasions when reasonable project price increases are necessary. A solid contract will allow for this if it is necessary, as long as both parties agree to the additional labor and payment with a new signature. Price hikes, on the other hand, may be a ruse. If you believe that price increases for your project are excessive, seek the advice of a local building inspector or experienced contractor.
13. They are always making excuses
To Do-Done Renovations’ CEO, Tonya Bruin
Every real estate project is certain to run into problems at some time, and smart contractors are proactive in resolving them before they worsen. If, on the other hand, the contractor is just interested in creating excuses rather than correcting faults, you’ve chosen a lousy contractor.
14. They Don’t Answer Your Questions
Heat Talk’s Founder, David Miller
A client’s natural instinct is to ask questions, and it’s a fantastic method to assess a contractor’s expertise, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. If you see a contractor dodging inquiries by being dishonest, offering irrelevant replies, or beating about the bush, it’s a clear sign that he or she isn’t up to the job. Communication is crucial, and if the contractor seems to be avoiding your queries, you have every reason to doubt their competence.
15. They are hesitant to provide out a copy of their driver’s license.
SparkRental Co-Founder Brian Davis
It’s critical to get a copy of a contractor’s license and bond policy before employing them. If they refuse to produce a copy of these papers, that’s a red sign. While using unlicensed, unbonded handymen is occasionally permissible, such as for little works or lower-end houses, the contractor should be upfront and honest about their licensing and bond status.
They’re Difficult to Reach No. 16
Post Modern Marketing’s Southeast Region VP of Operations, Ron Humes
Why should you expect a contractor to behave differently throughout the project if they do not respond or return your phone calls in a timely manner and do not respect you enough to be on time for your appointments prior to the project work? There are fair work hours and communication norms in place. So that there are no surprises afterwards, all parties should set and agree on what days and hours are acceptable throughout the project.
They Don’t Make a Commitment to a Project
David Tattersall, Handpicked Accountants’ Head of Client Relations
Contractors choose their own work schedules, deciding where they want to work, when they want to work, and for whom they want to work. Contractors often work on many contracts at the same time, including yours. It’s a symptom of a lousy contractor if a bigger work comes along with a bigger payment and the contractor pursues the check instead of fulfilling his previous obligations. A competent contractor will work quickly and effectively to finish your project and move on to the next. Prioritizing each client is critical, since a single negative experience might make the difference between a devoted customer and a lifelong critic.
They Exhibit a Lack of Enthusiasm.
Mike Holmes is a writer for the National Post.
A contractor should be passionate about executing the task the best manner he knows how, no matter how tiny it is. If he arrives with nothing but a clipboard and refuses to answer your inquiries, it’s possible he’s not interested in the work or doesn’t care about your project at all. You’re wasting your time in either case.
19. They Consistently Fail to Meet Deadlines
Trust Deed Capital’s President, Ken Meyer
It’s a red signal that you’ve hired a terrible contractor if your contractor often misses deadlines and there are other indicators that work isn’t moving as it should. Time is crucial as a real estate investor if you want to profit from your investment. It’s recommended to cancel your contract with the contractor and locate a better one if you notice this early on.
They Only Want to Communicate Through Phone Calls (20).
AMI House Buyers’ owner, Rae Dolan
Be wary of any contractor that insists on communicating only via phone conversations. If he refuses to meet with you to discuss your project, he may not be the proper contractor for you. If anything goes wrong, you can bet he’ll merely call you to talk about it. It may not be the most effective method of communication, particularly when a large project is involved.
Conclusion
It might be difficult to find the correct contractor. Working with a reputable and trustworthy contractor is critical to the success of any real estate endeavor. Keep in mind the warning signs of a terrible contractor listed above, and steer away from them as soon as you detect one of them.
The “how to tell if a contractor is ripping you off” is a blog post about signs that the contractor you hired might be a bad one. The article includes tips and tricks to help identify whether or not your contractor is being honest with you.
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