Buildinga home or renovating your existing pad is no simple task. From budgeting todesign and choosing the right contractor, there’s a myriad of details you’llneed to juggle. But when it comes to choosing the right contractor for the job,it’s important to be mindful that not every contractor is reputable. Here areseven ways you can spot a shady one.
Theypressure you. Whether they’re pushy with contracts or material, if they’re usingpressure to sway you, be cautious.
They only accept cash. This is a huge red flag. Reputable contractorswill take checks and potentially even credit cards for their payments.
They want it all up front. Most remodelers typically require a downpayment of 25-50 percent of the contract price for small jobs and 10-33 percentfor large jobs. If they demand full payment up front, be wary: they may neverfinish the job.
They have no references. No matter what, never hire a contractorwithout verifying at least three separate references.
They suggest a lender. If the contractor suggests that you borrow moneyfrom a lender the contractor knows, you could be the target of a homeimprovement loan scam – a sure way to lose your home.
The contractor fails to listen. A contractor should want to meetyour specific needs. If they seem unable or unwilling to listen to your wants,if they talk over you or in any way seem disrespectful, they may be unreputableat worst, or at best, difficult to work with.
No right of rescission. A solid contractor will let you know thatyou have the right to cancel your contract within three days of signing; this“right of rescission” is required by law and allows you to change your mindwithout penalty if the contract was provided at a place other than thecontractor’s place of business or an appropriate trade premise
Reprinted withpermission from RISMedia.©2018. All rights reserved.
