Finding a trustworthy and experienced general contractor isn’t always easy, but if they show any (or all!) of the following 9 signs, then you should probably start your search again and try to find a contractor who will be better suited to the job:
- Cash payments preferred
This is usually an indicator that the general contractor isn’t entirely reputable, or may even be fraudulent. If a general contractor requests cash payments and isn’t willing to provide you with a receipt, be on your guard!
- They refuse to sign a contract
A contract is a legal and binding document that makes them what they are – a contractor! Without one, work should not go ahead.
- They don’t take permits seriously
You are responsible for ensuring that any work carried out on your property meets all of the legal requirements for your state, and that you have obtained all the necessary building permits for any construction work. If your general contractor tells you permits aren’t an issue, be wary, because they certainly can be an issue!
- The job is rushed
If you feel that the job is going along a little bit too swiftly, check the workmanship and make sure that nothing is being left to chance in an effort to complete the job quickly.
- They leave a mess behind them
While nobody expects your general contractor and other tradespeople to start vacuuming the floors or washing your windows, they can be reasonably expected to keep the areas they work in, free from debris and as clean as possible.
- They don’t have the required licenses and insurance
Anything that happens on your property while work is under way, is your responsibility alone, and if you don’t want to be held liable in the event of an accident, make sure your general contractor and their team are fully licensed and insured.
- Proper PPE isn’t being worn
While work is working being carried out on your property, all person’s present must be wearing the appropriate protective equipment, and your general contractor should have an active health and safety policy.
- They request a payment upfront
While a deposit may well be required by a reputable general contractor, full payment upfront, should not be. Payments should be made at suitable points throughout the project, and this should be agreed upon (and ideally put into writing) before work commences.
- As a company, their name has changed several times
If you find out that your chosen general contractor has operated under several different guises, this could indicate that they are trying to cover up for previous projects that weren’t successful. Ask the contractor for more details about their business, and if they’ve nothing to hide, they’ll be happy to tell you the truth. If you suspect they’re not telling the truth, there are plenty of ways to check online.
Sometimes your gut instinct will tell you whether a general contractor is the right fit for the job, but for all those other occasions, you can use the above 9 signs to help you decide.