Six Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Contractors

Hiring the wrong contractor can become an expensive mistake. Not only will you fall victim to shoddy work, but you will likely have to hire a reputable contractor to fix everything that went wrong. If you seek the best local concrete contractor possible to pave your patio, driveway or foundation in Crivitz, WI, here are six red flags to avoid:

• Bad reviews: In a world with Yelp and Angie’s List, it is difficult for a bad contractor to escape. If you see constant complaints on a contractor’s social media page or angry Yelp reviews, chances are they will not behave any differently for you. Almost all businesses will have one or two bad reviews, because some people are never happy. But if there is a consistent, long-term pattern of bad reviews, move on to someone else.
• Bad communication: A good contractor communicates, even if there is bad news to convey. If an unexpected circumstance raises the cost of materials or extends construction time, your contractor should tell you and not surprise you with the information later. So, if it takes a contractor more than 48 hours to return a call, they are likely not a reliable service provider.
• Open-ended estimates: While an estimate is not necessarily written in stone, it should be precise and limited to your budget and expectations. It should also include a timeline for project completion. Contractors who insist on unlimited time and materials are dangerous. If they refuse to give a flat fee and specify the cost of a change order, move along to someone else. The risk is a very expensive one.
• Overpromising: If something seems too good to be true, it likely is—especially with contractors. Be wary of estimates that are much lower than the other ones you collected, particularly if the low estimate contains top-end materials. The same is true if their timeline seems unreasonably quick—if most of your contractors estimate five to seven days to finish a project and someone claims they can finish it in two, that is a big red flag. Avoid the temptation to embrace magical thinking, and do not believe big promises.
• Old references: Good contractors will have several years of excellent references. If the contractor’s latest reference is from 2015, that is a bad sign. There is likely a reason for this, and it is not one you want to experience.
• Requests a big down payment: Contractors should ask for no more than 15 percent payment up front. Generally, this payment helps them secure the materials they’ll need for your project and allows them to hold a place for you in their schedule. Balk at a contractor asking for more, as this should not be necessary to begin work on your project.

If you seek the best local concrete contractor in Crivitz, WI, Kwiatkowski Construction Co., Inc. will likely exceed your expectations. Our services include pools, driveways, patios and stamped and decorative concrete services. Contact us today to arrange for an estimate for your project!

Categorised in: Concrete Contractors

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