Recently I was talking to a friend who’s brother’s home was flooded. He’s a renter and the home owner hired a contractor that was recommended by the insurance company. The insurance contract payout was for “New Kitchen Cabinets and New appliances.” But it turns out that their contractor pocketed the money, re-used the old/flooded cabinets and only replaced the doors. They looked new, but are still old! Also, they just cleaned and reinstalled the old appliances. They were paid to purchase everything new, but have proved to be quite dishonest. Now the home owner has a difficult situation ahead to remedy this situation with the trust that is lost, recover lost insurance funds or start the process again with someone new…. what a headache!
This is a sad story, but unfortunately it is pretty common. There are a few bad Contractors out there, and while the renters had no control over the above situation, there are steps that could have been taken by the home owner to avoid this situation. Upon basic investigation, it turned out that this company already had 2 strikes with the Better Business Bureau for complaints of dishonest business dealings!!! This could have been the first red flag, but the home owner just took the recommendation from the insurance company, without getting the construction company. Our policy is “Trust but verify!”
1. Check Licensing and Registration
Never rely solely on a contractor’s word. Ask for their official license number and verify it directly through your local or state government website.
- Active Status: Ensure the license is current and active.
- Correct Class: Confirm they are licensed for your specific project type.
- Clean Record: Look for any past disciplinary actions or major complaints.
2. Verify Insurance and Bonding
An uninsured contractor is a massive financial risk to you. If a worker gets hurt on your property, you could be held liable. Demand proof of two specific policies:
- General Liability: Covers any accidental damage to your home or property.
- Workers’ Compensation: Protects you if a crew member is injured on site.
- Call the Provider: Do not just look at the paperwork. Call the insurance agent to confirm the policy is currently paid and active.
3. Dig into Real Reviews and References
Online ratings can sometimes be manipulated, so it pays to dig a little deeper.
- Third-Party Sites: Check independent platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or specialized trade sites.
- Ask for Recent References: Request the contact info of three clients from the past year.
- Ask Tough Questions: When you call references, ask if the project stayed on budget and how the contractor handled unexpected delays.
- Read the Reviews. What is their overall rating? Do most people highly recommend them, feel neutral or have negative things to say? Don’t just read the 1 stars or 5 stars. Try to get an overall feel for how other customers felt after working with them. Also take note of how the contractor responds to their reviews. Do they maintain professionalism when criticized and take time to thank their clients for kind reviews?
4. Trust yourself. Even if they seem to check out in items 1-3, you should also feel comfortable, safe, and confident in their skills, values, and company. If you just don’t like them, keep looking. The process will be better for everyone if you don’t go against your instincts at the very beginning.
Taking the above steps doesn’t take that long, but can save you a headache later.
*** Remember, good contractors also have the right to be selective about their clients. Just as you desire a great experience, that is what your contractor wants too. They should be able and willing to cooperate with your fact checking them, and they may do some vetting themselves. Truth: We decline to work with some potential customers based on our first interaction with them. If we can tell it wouldn’t be a good fit (based on their personalities, their needs, or their communication), we end the interactions so the customer can find a better fit.
We wish you a great experience and hope you find the right match for your project!!!
