Have you ever had a contractor disappear from your job site? Agree to do a job but then never show up? Paint a chimney that was NOT meant to be painted? Like anyone who has ever owned a home, I too have dealt with my share of contractor mishaps and poor sense of professionalism on my own home. I have a plumber I love (https://www.dcadotteplumbing.com/) and a plasterer who can't be beat (https://www.patrickhouricanplastering.com/) but I've had a number of challenges with other folks and our latest holdup is related to a table saw that needed repair. After being dropped off once (unassembled!), multiple phone calls, many text messages and two family deaths, it took over a month to get it back, meanwhile holding up the completion of this enclosed porch renovation.
It's not really porch weather yet, but boy would I like to wrap this project in time for apple blossom and bulb season as the porch has a view of the gardens and fruit trees, and isn't the point of a well-designed space to quickly transport you to a comfortable and joyful place? In New England seasonality is everything and I declare this the season of completion! While this project will be finishing up shortly, the tension over the AWOL equipment got me thinking about all the questions I get asked about how to avoid the bad apples in the proverbial bunch. I've put together a list of Dos and Don'ts when hiring contractors.
DO have a signed contract outlining a detailed scope including cleanup and haul-away responsibilities, full cost breakdown ideally with labor and materials as opposed to a lump sum, a schedule for project delivery, permits required and details on any work they intend to sub out including company name. Be sure you get proof of insurance.
DON'T pay your contractor more than 1/3 up front. Ideally you set a payment schedule with 1/4 up front and each remaining quarter upon a set milestone, with the last payment to come after project completion including inspection signoff if required.
DO check Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, and Google reviews. Take reviews with a grain of salt though you can usually disregard a complaint if its a one-off in a sea of stellar reviews. That being said, it's generally pretty simple to spot a pattern if a contractor is habitually falling short on projects if a number of reviews mention the same or similar issues.
DO follow your gut. Often we simply know or "get a bad vibe" when working with someone who later turns out to be a flake or worse but we don't trust that intuition.
DO be proactive and assertive. Keep good records. Be sure to document requests for stop or start work orders, refunds and payments. If you've done all of the above but still end up with a dud, you have recourse in the form of posting online reviews, filing a complaint with the state, filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, reaching out to local media investigator, or take them to small claims court (if under $7,000) or file a civil suit.
No one likes conflict, and no one enjoys living through a renovation either but when the goal is to make enhancements to your environment, the last thing you want is bad memories of a sticky situation every time you look at (insert trouble spot here). Wishing you peace and tranquility in your place of refuge.
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