1. Communication Issues
Any trouble reaching your contractor during the initial stages of getting a quote or talking through a project is a significant red flag. When a contractor is trying to win your business, they’re showing you their best behavior. Missing your calls without following up or not being clear are indications that clear communication isn’t their priority. When you hire someone to work on your home, pay close attention to how timely and clear their communications with you are to prevent misunderstandings and frustrations.
2. Lack of Professionalism
A great contractor presents themselves professionally to their clients from start to finish. Keep an eye on your construction contractor’s punctuality, attire, and manner of speaking with you. If you ever feel uncomfortable, pressured, or confused about the next steps, a lack of professionalism may be to blame. How a construction contractor handles interactions with clients is an extension of how they approach their jobs. A contractor that acts unprofessionally might bring similar workers into your home or may not enforce quality standards in their work.
3. Lack of Credibility
There are many signs that indicate that a construction contractor is knowledgeable, experienced, and fit to handle your project. Check into their reviews, browse examples of their past projects, and notice how they respond to technical questions. If they’ve been in business for years but don’t have many projects worth showing off, you might want to continue your search. Additionally, a seasoned construction contractor should be confident and well-spoken about even the most complicated topics. Make sure your contractor can explain everything you need to know in an easy-to-digest way.
4. Reluctance to Provide Proof of Permits, Licenses, and Insurance
It’s incredibly important to ask your contractor for proof of the proper permits, licenses, and insurance. As a homeowner, you’ll be held responsible for any fines caused by missing permits, and a lack of insurance puts you at risk of paying workers’ medical bills. Licenses confirm that your contractor is equipped to do business and are essential to track down a contractor in the case of a dispute. Insurance and license information should be provided before any construction work begins. Make sure to keep copies of this information, note their license numbers, and have contact information for their insurance company. Permits will come a little later in the process. Your contractor should be transparent about what permits they’re pulling and give you the relevant documentation.
5. Their Promises Seem Too Good To Be True
When comparing quotes from construction contractors, you should see an average budget and timeline emerge based on the scope of your project. If you have any outliers – especially on the cheaper or faster side – be careful. Promises and quotes that seem too good to be true might indicate that the contractor is overpromising or lacks the experience to give you an accurate estimate. Keep in mind that there’s a tradeoff between quality and budget/timeline.
6. They Ask For Payment Upfront or In Cash
Experienced contractors should be able to advise you on common methods for paying for a home renovation or other construction service. Given the high price tags, asking for full payment upfront or in cash is another red flag. Instead, you should be looking to sign (and keep a copy of) a payment agreement which may include an initial payment before work begins.
7. You Feel Uneasy or Unsure
Before proceeding with your construction project, you should have confidence in your contractor’s professionalism and ability. If you have a gut feeling or sense of unease about a contractor, it’s best to avoid them. Feelings like this are often easy to ignore, but they’re usually based on what you’ve noticed subconsciously. It might be the contractor’s interpersonal skills, not being able to find much about them online, or noticing that they changed their name recently. If your contractor is anything less than a pleasure to work with, keep looking until you find an appropriate match.
Looking For A Renovation Contractor?
At Straight Line Construction, we pride ourselves on being a straightforward, customer-first construction concierge. That means we take care of every part of your home renovation from start to finish, always keeping you as involved as you’d like to be! Check out our gallery of previous projects or reviews from our clients to see what we can do for you. Give us a call or text, leave us a message to get your free renovation consultation or visit our Gainesville / Alachua and Ocala showrooms today!