How to Spot a Bad Contractor

There are a lot of DIY tutorials out there, and it can save a lot of the cost of a home renovation, earlier this week we were contacted by a scam artist and it got us thinking about our clients, and others who may not know some of the signs.
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Did you know that 60% of contractors are average, another 10% are con artists, and only 30% of contractors are actually really good?  Out of 100 people who could apply to do the renovation, how would you determine who should do the job? Here are some tips to look for when making that choice:

Licenced – If the contractor does not have the proper paperwork (documents, insurance, permits, etc.) and doesn’t want to sign any documents that could be an indication that trouble lies ahead – especially if they try to talk you out of needing permits!

In cases when disputes or misunderstanding happen, these legal documents are what keep you, your family, the contractor, their workers, as well as home safe years to come.  Simply having verbal agreements leaves room for misunderstandings and can leave both parties feeling bitter about the other. ​

Lack of enthusiasm – There are always questions that need to be asked when thinking of starting a project, or even during.  There are many fake experts out there who would say almost anything to gain your business if the contractor is vague when answering your questions complete they could be lacking sound technical knowledge which is wasting your time. 

A contractor should be interested in doing and being the very best and be able to give detailed answers to the questions being asked.  If there is ever a question that cannot be answered, they would be upfront and be willing to find the answer for you, not just shrug it off.

They are not busy – Good work is hard to come by and a contractor who has a wide-open schedule could indicate they are not the contractor for you.  There are always quiet parts of the year where home renovations and building are concerned, make sure you know the off seasons for the area and the company.

Another indicator could be their job sites.  Monday morning or Friday afternoon have been quiet consistently, your contractors are absence could be using those times to buy materials or tie up paperwork and permits…or they could reflect on the overall professionalism and commitment.   If you are uncertain discuss it with your contractor, communication is the key to a successful business.

Cost – There are a few points to consider.

a)    Percent of the job is usually required upfront by the contractor, this secures their time and your commitment to their work and also to shows an investment in the project and if any part is unsatisfactory then the work has to be fixed before another payment is made.  This protects both the contractor and yourself, however, if your contractor is asking for an unreasonable price upfront, something could be up.  Payments are almost always conditioned to major miles stone like excavation, foundation work, plumbing, electrical, siding, roofing, etc.

b)    Be careful when dealing with Low Bids, if the cost seems like it is too low it could indicate that the contractor is cutting corners, using cheap materials or providing low-quality labor.  Good contractors know the cost and will be upfront about it.

c)    A very important detail to look for is a cost breakdown.  You are investing in your home when renovating, it is important then to know where your money is going, a reliable kitchen renovation contractor will provide an estimate that includes a breakdown of the necessary expenses.

Deadlines –Contractors work on a schedule and have certain milestones to completed projects by, sometimes things will come to light that may push the project deadline back – if your contractor is known for missing a lot of deadlines it could be a red flag that you have hired the wrong person!

LA Home Solutions is one of Lethbridge's most trusted destinations for quality interior design for over 10 years. Whether you are building or renovating, LA Home Solutions can help you do it all. Our extensive experience in all aspects of interior design enables us to provide services ranging from the initial design to selections, construction, and completion. We offer exceptional customer experience from preliminary designs through to our installation services.
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We're available to our builders, homeowners, and tradespeople both on-site and in our showroom to ensure you achieve the very best. We work closely with our clients to ensure your needs and schedules are met in the most economical, professional, and friendly way. ​