Don't Get Scammed: How To Choose A Reliable General Contractor

Don't Get Scammed: How To Choose A Reliable General Contractor

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We see it and read it all the time; someone has been scammed by a person claiming to be a licensed contractor. They throw tons of money to the alleged contractor who told them they could get a $50,000.00 dollar job done for $25,000.00. And then the money dries up and so does the work. Unfortunately, when you have a large construction project coming up, you know that it could very well happen to you.

If you don't want to become the victim of a scam, then you need to continue reading this 5-step fool-proof plan which will prevent you from making common mistakes when choosing a general contractor.

Number One- The first thing that you need to do is check out their insurance.

Depending on which state you live in, your general contractor should have a minimum insurance policy that not only protects you, but also protects him and his workers. If one of his workers gets hurt on your work site, you should not be held liable for that action. He or she should also have liability insurance which protects you from any shoddy work that could be done. When you ask your general contractor if they have this type of insurance, they should be able to give you a definite "Yes," and should not quibble about sharing that information with you.

Number 2- The second thing you should do is check out their licensing paperwork.

Depending on which state you live in, a person who is doing contracting work has to either state they are licensed or unlicensed. In many states, like California, a person cannot do contracting work unless they are licensed. You can easily go to a state's website and check out if the contracting firm you are working with is legitimate. They have to be licensed through the state and the state where you live will have this information on file.

Number 3- The third thing you need to do before you sign a contract, is check their references!

You always need to check your contractor's references. Now, more than likely, your contractor is not going to give you bad references. You still need to review the reference letters and call the people who have had work done so you can get all the necessary information to make an informed decision. It would also be a good idea to check out your state's Better Business Bureau website to see if the contractor has any unresolved issues with other clients. This is a good rule of thumb no matter where you are doing business.

Number 4- You need to ask your contractor is they have pictures of previous construction work.

You would not want someone who is used to doing just renovation work to build you a complete house, nor would you want a home builder to re-do your bathroom. You need to make sure that the licensed contractor you have hired can handle the type of work that you need done, as well as, have all the necessary labor and equipment to complete your job in a timely manner. Make sure that their portfolio matches up to their claims of what they can do. This protects both you and them from any disagreements in the future.

Number 5- You should always, always talk with the contractor before you hire them.

Some folks just rub us the wrong way. The contractor with the lowest bid may not want to do things the way you want to do them. Talk with your prospective contractor and ask them questions. If they are any good at their job, they will understand your concerns, answer your questions and tell you how they think the project will go. If they can't do this or make the time with you to do this, then they may not be the right contractor for you.

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