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shady contractors

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Real Estate Agent with Taking a break

shady contractors

1. Refuse to give you a copy of their licnese and certificate of insurance, which should include liability and worker's compensation.

2. Has popped up out of nowhere,literally. you can 't verify any of their references or that she even has a fixed business address.

3. Rubs you wrong from the start. Trust you instincts.

4. Is so eager to get things started that techicalities get pushed to the side, but not the fee. Dont do business without a contract and make sure your not paying them as you go. They should be able to charge a down payment then bill you for the job.

5. Write the checks to the companies that you deal with and ask for the reciept, do not write the checks to the contractors, you may end up writing a check agian to pay for the same item.

6. Tempts you with bargins if you sign that day, sign that they are desperate and need some cash flow.

7.Try to get you to buy things that you have or don't need. just say no. They work for you not the other way around.

8. asks you to pay for work that has not been done yet or for materials that have not arrived, a very bad sign that they are in low cahs flow and are paying expenses as they go at your cost. If you dont see it , don't pay for it.

9. Uses scare tactics to get you to sign off on extras. Remmeber they work for you not the other way around.



 

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Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Our office keeps a contractor database so that we have good names for referrals. Its a great tool for us to help people find qualified contractors.
Aug 16, 2006 11:44 PM
Caleb Mardini
Bellevue, WA
OK, but how about a positive suggestion on good contractors, and how to find them.
Aug 17, 2006 03:25 AM
Timothy Butterworth
Taking a break - Portland, OR

Great question Caleb.

Later today I will post some of my personal suggestions and ways that I have networked with contractors and the subs that has produced positive results.  Thank you for you suggestion.

Aug 17, 2006 04:42 AM
Teri Isner
Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
GRI, CRS, CIPS
Like Maureen our office has a terrific list of contractors and we get referrals from our own builder contacts over the years.
Aug 17, 2006 10:57 AM