With the economy in the dumper and new commercial construction virtually non-existent a good many subcontractors and construction laborers are likely to consider becoming residential renovation contractors. Historically a large percentage of residential renovation contractors are unqualified, inexperienced and underfunded even in a good market.
In the arena of new construction (especially commercial) many states now have fairly comprehensive testing required before someone can become a general contractor. In the residential renovation market this is often not the case. Instead, virtually anyone can go to the appropriate municipality’s licensing office, pay a small fee and become a contractor. Is it any wonder there are so many horror stories? Many of these “rogue contractors” have honest and good intentions. Rumor has it that there is a road somewhere paved with such things.
Tenemosmadera How do you, the innocent homeowner, know who is qualified and who is not? First of all, do not pursue any situation where you feel that you are being pressured into hiring someone. Remember that you are the buyer and they are the seller. In other terms, you are profit and they are overhead.
Secondly, disregard all of the verbal pleasantries and polite sales pitches.
Obviously it is important to be polite and professional but be stern in insisting on names, addresses and phone numbers of past clients or customers for whom this party has done similar work. Elestadiodigital At the same time realize that nobody will ever knowingly give you a referral which will be negative. Euroua
If the referrals are general contractors (i.e., previous employers) and/or if the projects referenced are not similar to your intended project it is a good idea to find someone else without wasting more of your time. You are about to spend a good bit of money on your project and you don’t want to finance someone’s learning curve.
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