Master’s Home Solutions explains the dangers of a fly by night contractor. We’ve all been there. You’re driving down the road and see one of those bright orange yard signs in someone’s yard that says, “We Do It All,” “Lowest Prices,” or “Repairs and Remodeling.” They have a phone number on them, so you call. A day or two later, they come out to look at whatever it is you need done around the house. It sounds so easy. But when you choose a contractor based on a sign in someone’s yard, the results can be disastrous.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of “fly-by-night” contractors out there. These individuals may come from other states and promise to complete jobs at low prices, but they often leave homeowners with shoddy work, unfinished projects, and hefty bills. According to the Better Business Bureau, the number of complaints involving fly-by-night contractors is on the rise.
Here is just a sample of some of the horror stories we’ve seen over the years:
• An irresponsible contractor walks away from a job leaving a homeowner with part of his roof torn off and no way to pay for repairs.
• A shady contractor provides an estimate to repair a house damaged by high winds, but never completes the work, leaving the homeowner — who has already paid him — with no money left to hire another company to do the job right.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed by Fly-by-Night Contractors
If you’re planning a home improvement project, you might be thinking about hiring a contractor. The right contractor will be your partner throughout the process, helping you make smart decisions to ensure that your home turns out exactly as you envisioned it.
The wrong contractor, however, can turn your dream into a nightmare by charging too much or leaving a shoddy job behind. Here are some ways to identify a fly-by-night contractor:
They want payment upfront
A reputable contractor will typically define the payment times and amounts in the contract. This ensures that both parties understand what’s expected of each other and when payment is due. Some contractors will ask for partial payment upfront to cover the cost of materials and pay their workers as they go. However, no reputable contractor will ask for the full payment upfront before any work has been done! if the company asks for more than half of the total amount upfront — or wants money before any work begins — it’s probably a scammer.
They don’t have liability insurance
A legitimate contractor should have liability insurance to protect them against accidents while they’re working on your property. If their workers get hurt on your property, that could cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees if they don’t have insurance. You don’t want to hire a contractor who doesn’t carry liability insurance. Ask for a copy of their insurance policy and call the insurer directly to verify the information.
They do not offer references
Be cautious about hiring any contractor who is unwilling to show any previous work they have completed or provide references from satisfied customers. Anyone who has done a good job on someone’s home will gladly provide references upon request.
They avoid meeting face to face
A contractor who doesn’t want to meet with you should raise a red flag. A reliable, reputable contractor will not only be happy to meet with you, but they may also use their first visit as an opportunity to do a walk-through of the space and provide some feedback or initial suggestions.
Don’t Become a Victim of Scammers
A lot of homeowners have a difficult time finding the best contractor for their home improvement project. There are some homeowners who often become a victim of scammer’s tactics. This can be avoided if you trust only reputable contractors like Master’s Home Solutions.
Master’s Home Solutions is one of the most trusted contractors in Lehigh Valley and its surrounding areas. Our company is known for providing first-rate services including replacement windows, bathroom remodeling, roofing, siding installation, and many more since 1957. We offer one of the best warranties in the industry, which is beyond our customers’ expectations. We ensure that all our products are installed efficiently by our skilled craftsmen using state-of-the-art equipment to make your home more comfortable and beautiful.
If you want to get started with your upcoming home improvement project, call Master’s Home Solutions today at (610) 890-3869 to schedule a free in-home consultation and estimate or fill out our contact form.