How to hire a Contractor

Don’t get burned! The ESSENTIALS you must know to hire a contractor.

I spoke with 2 homeowners last week who had paid initial draws, signed contracts and were even given contractor license numbers, insurance information only to find out later that it was all fraudulent. One couple paid a contractor $75000 and he took the money and disappeared.
First, both people who reached out did everything right! I have communicated with them privately and what this (I can’t call him a contractor because he isn’t) “person” did could’ve happened to any of us. They asked the right questions but didn’t know to dig a little deeper to verify the information that was given.
I’ve heard it all…Get x amount of quotes blah blah blah. As a General Contractor with a little bit of seasoning let me give every homeowner/realtor some advice. Getting multiple quotes and going with the cheapest one does not guarantee the best deal. No more than going with the most expensive one means you’re going to get quality work. Ask anybody you are thinking about hiring a few simple questions. 1. Are you licensed? 2. Are you bonded (what ever state you live in) 3. Are you insured? Always ask for this information. Trust me, it’s not easy to get a Contractor license, we’re happy to show it to you and in most states, we’re required…. as an added bonus ask for photos or video of previous work relevant to the work you need done. I don’t put a lot of weight in asking for references but it doesn’t hurt. Look for their footprint meaning, check their website, go to their socials. See that they are an established business.
Finally trust your gut. If something seems off, run. Most reliable and trustworthy Remodeling Companies are busy. Be patient but you should get timely responses. I do the same thing as a contractor. I evaluate any potential client and I ask myself a few questions….Can I deliver exactly what they’re expecting for their price and by the deadline they have established? But most important, is this a collaborative effort? Meaning; are they invested in our shared success of the project. If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, I cannot accept that client.
As a home owner it will save you money and heartache if you do your due diligence first before you go spend thousands on your home. I hope this helps anybody moving forward.
If any of you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post in the comments below or contact me directly.