Costly Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Contractor

Whether it's hiring a contractor, a babysitter, or an accountant, searching for someone that is honest, reliable, and hardworking is a scary process. It's difficult to put your trust in someone who will be responsible for something as important as the structure and safety of your home. Thus, before you begin your search, it's essential that you know which mistakes to avoid when hiring a contractor. Get the information you need here.

Before you continue, take a moment to read our 'Helpful Guide to Hiring a Contractor' before you begin. We walk you through the selection process, the initial interview, and provide questions to address when hiring a contractor.

Avoid these mistakes when hiring a contractor:

Hire a door-to-door contractor - You're sitting in your living room and there's a knock at the door. You're greeted by a smiling face, shown a business card, and told that this 'contractor' can give you a good deal on any work you need done. DON'T DO IT! A good contractor has more work than he can possibly take on, and certainly won't show up at your door asking for work.

Don't talk to references - Always take the time to contact the references a contractor provides and, when possible, go see a few of their finished jobs in person. A good contractor will be able to supply you with a long list of finished work you can go see, which will also give you the opportunity to speak with the individuals that interacted with the contractor and his workers.

Don't ask to see insurance - Every single contractor must carry active insurance. It's a law. One of the biggest mistakes people make in hiring a contractor is not asking for proof of insurance. You're not doing anything wrong by requesting this important piece of information. In fact, it's wrong if you don't. Anyone can say they are a licensed contractor, but tell them you want to see the proof. They are required to provide it for you, and they are asked for it by everyone they do business with.

Don't get it in writing - If it's not in writing, there's no guarantee it's going to happen. Get absolutely everything you expect to be done put in the contract. From delivery date, completion date, payment date, specifics of the job, and even details of the cleanup. Put it in writing. Period.

Forget to add a termination clause - Before signing a contract from your contractor, make sure there is a termination clause added. This way, if the terms of the contract are not being adhered to, you can terminate the work without being fined. This protects you financially and ensures that the work is done as stated.

Don't get a change order in writing - As the contractor does work in your home, there may be a circumstance that requires a change in the original contract. To protect everyone involved, a change order should be written up and signed by all parties involved. It should detail changes in material, cost, and time.

Leave the job unattended - By not regularly checking in at the job site and ensuring things are getting done, you are asking for trouble. This is a very common mistake people make, but one they end up regretting. Visit the job site frequently and address problems at once. Don't write it down and wait till the end of the day to discuss things, as this will delay the completion of the job.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Helpful Guide to Hiring a Contractor

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Source:

Personal knowledge