Guide to Know If a Contractor is Ripping You Off

Whether you're doing major work or using a contractor estimate app to find someone to help with minor changes throughout your home, the process can be stressful for many reasons. One of the most challenging aspects is trusting someone to bring your vision to life. Most homeowners don't know the ins and outs of construction and general contracting. Therefore, they have no choice but to hire someone to do their work. Accurate estimates, at your fingertips! Explore our contractor estimate app on this website now for precise project planning.

Unfortunately, that makes it easy for unscrupulous contractors to rip innocent people off. Here are a few ways to tell that the contractor you hired is dishonest or unprofessional.

Overgeneralized Quotes

Before any work begins, it's your job as a property owner to get quotes from multiple contractors and find one who can complete your project within your budget. Quotes are just that. They're not final bills, so estimates can change due to numerous factors.

But one red flag is overgeneralized estimates. A good contractor should be able to provide concrete figures. They should know what work is required, what materials they'll need, what subcontractors to hire, etc. It takes time to build an accurate quote. Therefore, a contractor who provides a random number without discussing specifics may not have the expertise to do what you need.

Fortunately, you can turn to a contractor estimate app. These apps simplify the process for you and contractors, steering clear of vague, meaningless numbers.

Permitting Problems

Contractors should know whether or not your project needs permits and understand how to get them. Permits exist for a reason. They're there to keep you safe. You can expect permit pulling for any project that involves major renovations.

Don't work with a contractor if they are too lax about the permitting process. Failure to get all the required permits could result in steep fines, delays and thousands of dollars fixing shoddy work!

Sketchy Payment Policies

Unscrupulous contractors may request that you pay for the project in full, upfront and with cash. That should be a major red flag. There are various reasons why some contractors would do this. It could be to avoid taxes or because they're unlicensed.

Whatever the case, don't pay in cash unless you have an airtight contract. You should always seek documentation, invoices and a clear payment schedule.

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