Blog & Social

They won’t share recent references.

References are not the same as portfolio pictures. A contractor should be able to connect you to several recent customers willing to talk about their experiences and results. In fact, they should be proud to do so, and you should be concerned if they get cagy about it. Checking with these references gives you a chance to ask candid questions about the quality of the contractor’s work, how well they communicate, how they deliver customer service, and the value of the results. If a contractor can’t provide you with that information, it’s a sign of trouble.

They have a clause in their contract that would prevent you from posting pictures or honest reviews of their work online.

Believe it or not, that’s one way some really sneaky contractors avoid people finding any bad reviews about them online. If you catch a clause like this in a potential contractor’s agreement, where they threaten to sue you for posting your honest review or pictures of their lackluster results, or they won’t let you report them to the Better Business Bureau, you can be sure it’s a major cause for concern.

They can’t show you samples or options of materials they plan to install in your house.

Contractors absolutely can and should show you samples of exactly what they’re planning to use for your project. Of course, you have to be able to examine the quality of the material and compare your options, given the proposed costs. That’s one of the great things about having so many resources at this Home + Garden Show, too. If they say they can’t produce a sample of materials, especially something major like doors or windows, or if you’re just supposed to trust them because they do this all the time, then you have a major red flag.

They won’t give you a detailed or itemized budget.

Any project for your home or garden, no matter how big or small, should absolutely have a clear scope of work and a detailed budget. You should expect that budget to be itemized so you can see how much each component costs. Some contractors like to talk about transparency, and allowances for materials you can select that fit your budget. If they’re really honest, then they can easily show you more than a bottom-line number so you don’t get surprised at the selections stage when you find out they allowance they’ve given you doesn’t go as far as it should for your total expenses. If they can’t show you how all the line items of your project fit into the overall budget, and instead rely on an obscured lump-sum total, then that’s a red flag.

Their paperwork isn’t in order.

You should ask to see the contractor’s license and insurance documents and verify they’re up to date. If they’re not current of valid, then that’s a huge red flag. You could get stuck with expensive liabilities, or violations of permitting processes or codes if you’re not careful. You should expect your contractor to know whether your project requires permits. Ask your contractor to explain how they intend to file permit requirements, secure the necessary inspections, and close them on time. If they draw a blank, that’s a big red flag.

They’re fuzzy about who’s doing the actual work.

Builders want you to be assured of their quality and service, so some may say they don’t hire subcontractors, even if they really do. They know it sounds impressive, because they know you want reliability, and customers are often willing to pay more for the assurance of having that consistency. They’re not betting that you’ll question them on it. Feel free to ask them specifically what work they subcontract, and pay attention to how they answer. You have every right to know who is coming into your home to perform what type of work.

Catch Rico León on the Fresh Ideas Stage Presented by Desert King Windows Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 1pm!