Special offer

WARNINGS about "Home Improvements / Repair"

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Brave New Realty LLC

Did you know that you don't have to pay a Contractor "in advance"?!  :-o

The more reputable ones will allow you to pay them when they finish.  This is the SAFEST thing to do,
and you won't be financially obligated to keep a bad Contractor, for the fear of losing your money.
(I only work with Contractors that are confident enough to wait for me to pay them when they FINISH the job.)

If your gut tells you something is wrong - INVESTIGATE!!!

Have you ever doubted someone who was doing work for you, but then didn't question it or tell them
your concerns?  Don't ever second guess your gut - make sure you have all your concerns and questions
addressed BEFORE there is a bigger problem later.
(I saw how our Contractor nailed the floor together.  It bothered me, but I thought "he was the Professional".  Today, that floor squeeks when I walk on it, reminding me EVERY day that I should have spoken up!)

Are you embarrassed about asking for References?

Don't be shy about asking for Referrences AND making sure to CALL them and even go out to see the
work they performed!!!  (I wish I would have called and went to SEE the claimed work our Contractor did.  I doubt he had the ability to perform to the standards that I wanted - I had to hire someone to fix his mistakes.  And, we now have a tiled floor with a heating element underneath it that doesn't work - because he failed to properly test it along the way, before it was too late.  THAT was over a $1K mistake.  He obviously did NOT have experience in putting in Heated Floors, as he had claimed.)

Anyone else have some Words of Wisdom for anyone contemplating a Remodel or Improvement?

Comments (2)

Katie McBride
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
The McBride Team

I'd love to find a contractor who who wait to get paid when the job is finished.  Most want a portion when they order materials, another portion when they begin and the balance when the job is complete.

Apr 15, 2010 03:27 AM
Carol B.C. Honkanen
Brave New Realty LLC - Snohomish, WA
Designated Broker & CMM

That's what they tell you, but you can negotiate THAT just as anything else.  If they can't afford to work, without getting YOUR money in advance, they may be leveraging YOUR money with other jobs they have to buy materials for!!!

Apr 15, 2010 03:34 AM