| Many a soul has hired a contractor to do repairs or | | | | this problem is to specify the exact brand, size and |
| improvements on a home only to find something is | | | | part number [if possible] in your contract. Doing so |
| fishy. Here are some tips to avoid problems. | | | | accomplishes two things. First, it puts the contractor on |
| Home Improvement Contract Tips | | | | notice that you know how the process works. Second, |
| Hiring a contractor to do work on your home is not | | | | you can always resort to legal action if you later find |
| always as easy as it sounds. Many people call | | | | the correct materials were not used. Since you have |
| themselves contractors, but really are not. The first | | | | everything in writing, the contractor has little defense. |
| step to avoiding problems is to make sure you hire | | | | A second unethical tactic is the bait and switch. In this |
| someone with who is actually licensed as a contractor. | | | | process, the contractor gives you a bid price that can't |
| If you subsequently have problems, you can contact | | | | possibly cover the project. You think you are getting a |
| the licensing board to raise a dispute. | | | | deal, but the contractor starts coming to you after the |
| Most contractors are ethical, honest people and | | | | project has started requesting more money. The |
| businesses. There are, however, others who are not. | | | | contractor refuses to continue work if you do not |
| These individuals assume you do not really know what | | | | pony up. In this situation, the best defense is again to |
| is involved in the construction process. This provides | | | | have everything in writing in the project contract. Make |
| them with an opening to make substantially more profit. | | | | sure to include an attorney's fee clause in it. If the |
| While you might think this means they will overbid the | | | | contractor tries this tactic, you should contact an |
| project, it does not. Most contractors believe you will | | | | attorney. The attorney will set the contractor straight. If |
| pick the lowest price, so they rarely run up their | | | | the contract refuses to finish the job, you will probably |
| estimate. There are, however, two other ways to | | | | be told by the attorney to hire a new contractor while |
| boost profit. | | | | he sues the unethical one. Since an attorney's fee |
| The first thing unethical contractors will do is use low | | | | clause is included in the agreement, you should end up |
| quality supplies. As with anything you buy, there is a | | | | paying no legal fees. This is not the best situation, but it |
| high quality and lower quality version. While you may | | | | beats getting scammed. |
| want the high quality version, you may have a hard | | | | In general, the best way to find a contractor is to ask |
| time determining if you received it. The difference | | | | for referrals from trusted friends. Next, get everything |
| between high and low quality is often how long | | | | in writing. With these two steps, you should avoid any |
| something lasts, not how it appears. The way to beat | | | | major problems. |