5 Ways to Avoid Bad General Contractors

There are certainly more good and reputable general contractors out there than bad, untrustworthy ones, but if you’re not vigilant, you could get caught out assuming that the company you’ve hired are legitimate and that they have your best interests at heart.

With this in mind, it pays to take the following 5 steps to avoid the hazards of a potential construction nightmare:

Check Who You Hire – are They Licensed?

Unlicensed contractors may appear legitimate, or offer you lower prices than others in your area, but if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. A licensed, professional general contractor will have all the requisite qualifications and training to carry out their work to a high standard, and will be happy to provide you with proof of this. They will also give you fair prices that accurately reflect the nature of the work and time and skill required to complete it, along with the cost of equipment and materials.

Licensed general contractors are also fully insured, so that you and your property are protected should something go wrong.

Check Reviews and Online Listings

There are a variety of online resources available to you for checking the credentials or standard of work of general contractors in your area, and you should check these before talking contracts.

Check with Friends and Neighbors

These are typically an invaluable source of good, honest and free advice, guidance and recommendations, and you might even discover information that they were hesitant to publish publicly online.

Research the Litigation History of Local, General Contractors

You might not know it, but many courts have online records or ways to check a contractors litigation history at their courthouses, and if you find out that the contractor you were thinking of hiring has had successful lawsuits filed against them, you can review your decision carefully.

Red Spells Danger!

Red flags can be anything from a contractor’s unwillingness to engage with you before you sign a contract, or a lack of detailed information in their bid, and whatever you spot or experience that makes you feel uncomfortable, should serve as a warning and an indicator that you should think very carefully before signing any contract.

There are definitely plenty of reputable general contractors in Queens, NY operating in and around, but that doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down and not check the credentials, experience level and licensing of anyone you plan to hire for a construction project.