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Project Planning Guide

What You Can Do to Avoid Being Ripped-Off

Along with the anticipation to remodel your home, comes the foreboding sense of finding a quality contractor. Will I be able to find a reliable contractor? Will my calls be answered? Will I have to wait forever? How can I be sure I’m not being taken advantage of?

There are really only two main factors to consider when getting work done competently and in a timely manner. First, you must choose the contractor very carefully. Second, you must make sure the payment structure gives you the leverage.

Choosing a contractor is the more difficult task. One good rule to follow is to always shop for quality first and value second. Both factors are very important, but addressing them at the same time often leads to hiring the wrong firm. If you don’t have solid objective reasons to indicate the firm is reliable, either get that evidence or don’t use the firm. It is really that simple.

If you prefer to do you own checking, there are a number of things you can do to check out a firm. The one most important is to check references - the more the better. Take the time to make a list of questions before dialing. Spend a while with each reference, making sure there’s time to get the full picture. Very few people will give a bad reference, but most, if encouraged will share what they did and did not like about the experience.

For large jobs, have the contractor’s insurance company send you a “certificate of insurance” to provide coverage. Sometimes a “scammer” will show you a copy of his insurance, but fail to mention he cancelled the day before. They may insist they don’t want to wait for you to do all this as “the price is only good that day.” Beware!

Next, you’ll want to verify licensing. Call the Contractor State License Board (CSLB) at 1-800-321-2752 to check that the license is current. Don’t accept a simple “Yes” if he tells you he’s licensed. But, watch out! It’s a simple matter for a contractor to pull an active number from any contractor ad in the yellow pages and put it on his business card hoping you don’t check any further. Ask for his “pocket license” (this is a pocket sized replica of his contractor license). Both should match.

Finally, check with the Better Business Bureau and the CSLB to make sure there are no past or pending complaints against the company. And don’t forget to check their credit history. Contractors with poor credit can be tempted to use your money to pay off old creditors and possibly substitute the quality products detailed in your plans.

Next, some tips on The Contract.
Or, go back to the Project Planning Guide.