Contractors help us build our houses or renovate them. They perform excellent work to make us live in a better place. But some contractors are opportunists who try to cheat on us by making different excuses or schemes about a particular matter specifically money or material related.

If one is new in the business and has no experience of dealing with the contractor, there is a high chance that he/she would be scammed, specifically if the contractor is not professional and lack the basic ethics of the profession. Several known scams are easier to avoid and to check if the contractor is a fraud or not.

Let’s get into the details of scam contractors and how to avoid them

Pay Upfront

Do not pay all the money to the contractor unless your desired work is done. Only 20% is enough to pay at the start, not more than it. If the contractor is forcing you to pay the money upfront, be alert that he can be a scam. Try to avoid any such situations where you have to pay all the money upfront.

Once you have paid him the money, there are chances that the contractor will fly away or start being lethargic or work hastily because he knows that you have paid the money and now you cannot do anything except sit there and watch the poor construction in front of you.

Too little bids

Before you get your work started, go to two or three more contractors and tell in detail your demands and specifications of the work to get the exact estimate of the money. If a contractor is asking for too little, he must be a scam, who would ruin your house or whatever you are trying to make up.

The cheapest can rarely be the best. Try to go for moderate estimates and if two or three contractors are estimating somewhat the same then you know who you want to have to get your work done.

Buy extra material

Ask your contractor to give you an accurate estimate of the material to be used. If the contractor is asking to buy extra material in case of urgency, stop him right there. Be informed about the correct amount and material otherwise, you may end up wasting your money over extra material.

Or if the contractor says that he has extra material and he can sell you that cheaper, say NO, and do not fall for the scam else you would face disastrous circumstances. Be careful in making a decision and do not go for any sugarcoated chatter. 

Verbal or No Contract

A contract is a must to do a thing before you allow the contractor to start the work. A contract should be written, nor verbal. Make the points clear, pen them down on the paper, and get it signed by the contractor to avoid any inconvenience later.

If you would rely on a verbal contract that all these things would be done ultimately then you have invited the trouble to you. Never rely on verbal statements. If you do so and your contractor forces you to do so, it is high time to change the contractor. The professional contractor would never rely on verbal statements to experience any unfortunate event.

Immediate Estimates

A contractor never gives a sudden estimate about your work unless he has seen the workplace and has observed the situation of the task he has to do. If the contractor gives you instant estimates, be alert, he can be a scam. Try to be safe from all the frauds as much as possible.

Referral Schemer

Some contractors want to show your home as a model of his work and give you extra relief for this purpose, do not fall for it. It is not necessary that the contractor is the man of his words and he is giving you relief for the said purpose. This can be a serious scam as there is nothing like a special discount or relief of such matters. Before hiring this kind of contractor, consult with the market, have two to three estimates, and then go for the right one.

Licensing

A legal contractor has a license to work in an area issued by the local government. Before you hire a contractor, ask for his license, if he’s being reluctant in showing the license or making excuses, there’s something fishy.

Never hire a contractor unless you have seen and checked the license. A scam would make lame excuses for why he cannot show you the contract. Do not fall for these excuses and change your contractor as it can be a big scam.

Follow these tips and investigate properly before hiring a contractor to avoid any scam or mishap. Do not fall for sweet chatters of the contractor rather look for proof of their legal work.

We have tried to portray a few most common scams that people face in everyday life. We want our people to be aware and alert of any such fraud. Follow these tips and be smart enough to handle any such situation. Remember that you don’t have to feel guilty for changing a contractor. The property is yours, you are the one spending all the money and you have the right to have its work done on your terms.