How to Avoid & Handle Nightmare ContractorsWe have all heard the horror stories from people we know…nightmare contractors that do poor quality work, don’t show up on time, and disappear without completing the job. This is why it is important to be cautious when hiring someone to do work around your house.Here are a few tips on avoiding hiring a nightmare: A) Cost should NOT be the most important factor in your decision: • The old saying “you pay for what you get” could not be truer than in the home service industry. If a company is pricing a job considerably less than the competition, you need to be a little wary. • You can’t expect the company that agrees to a job for considerably less to complete the job in the same fashion as the other companies. Their lower prices often come along with less skilled labor and cheaper materials. If they used expert labor and high quality materials their price would not be so low.
• Many companies will use the fact that they have lower prices to give them a ‘pass’ on professionalism and quality. They know that they are less expensive and if you fired them you would be stuck paying a lot more to someone else... so they will use this to their advantage.
• Quality is the most important factor. If you pay someone a small amount of money, you may find yourself redoing or correcting mistakes in their work later. The additional cost of doing this can end up being more money than if you hired the quality company in the first place! • Here is a good article explaining Contractor’s Pricing B) Ask lots of questions about the company, the job they are performing, and their experience. • If a company cannot comfortable explain their qualifications, or exactly what they recommend doing to fix your problem, then they should be avoided. First impressions are important. If a pro leaves you feeling a little skeptical about their qualifications then move on…there are plenty of fish in the sea. C) Get the right references…not just those supplied by the contractor. More info on references.
D) More info on hiring a contractor
Ok, so you have come across this website too late and you have actually hired a nightmare, or halfway through the project you are figuring out that they may not be performing as you had hoped…here are some hints on how to handle the situation: • Have a meeting and discuss your concerns with the contractor. Make it clear that you are not satisfied and not getting what you are paying for.
• Submit a request for changes in the work they have performed to them in writing and have them sign it if they agree to the request. Keep a copy of this for yourself.
• Take pictures of the work they have completed that is not satisfactory. • Don’t hesitate to explore other contractors to finish work or replace contractors that are not satisfactory.
More helpful short articles to help with your contractor needs:
|
