Dealing with Contractors

flip_it_fast · #1 07-07-2010, 03:25 AM

Even the best of the best contractors have smooth tongues. They know all the right words to try and get the most money from you while doing the least amount of work possible. Thats just a fact of life. So before you decide on a contractor, be informed and prepared.

If a contractor tells you that he doesn't have any wiggle room for his price what he really means is I want you to pay my sky high rates. They are always going to begin with higher rates. You have to work them down. You should always get several bids for your job. Then wiggle them down from there.

If the contractor says that he needs money upfront for materials he may have outstanding debt from previous jobs. Offer to pay the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the job up front. Most established contractors have sixty to ninety days to pay suppliers so that amount should suffice. If not offer to double your amount but no more than that. Otherwise, you may just end up paying for his previous jobs and he might skip out on yours or he might purchase lesser materials for your job then it actually requires.

troubles74 · #2 07-07-2010, 05:48 AM

this is very true. my husband is a contractor/painter he works on cars he can do just about everything. he isnt the type to try and over charge you though. he will give you an extremely fair price for what he will do and hes work is very good he dont half ass anything.

although my husband isnt one of them there really are people like that out there and like you said you just have to stand your ground and talk them down because truth is times are hard for them right now just like they may be for you so they are going to try everything they can not to lose your business.

flippinout · #3 07-07-2010, 06:15 PM

We have one contractor that we stick with because they are honest and above board, dont over charge and what the estimate is that is given before they start the job is what they charge you when the job is finished.

Plus, you can pay for the job up front if you want or when the job has been finished, whichever, but you dont have to pay part of it first.

We have used these people many times during the years and have always been very happy with the prices and the quality of work that these people do.

flip_it_fast · #4 07-08-2010, 03:01 AM

It's great that you do know of a good contractor. Someone reliable can be tough to find. Don't get me wrong, there are some very good ones out there. But you have to weed them out from the rotten ones lol.

flippinout · #5 07-08-2010, 05:14 AM

The name of this contractor is Trigg Construction out of Neffs. They are great and do a fantastic job too.

They put our back deck on our house a few years back and it cost a lot less than it would have anywhere else and the workmanship was great.

It didnt take them but about 3 days to complete the job and they also did a great clean up job afterwards.

troubles74 · #6 07-08-2010, 07:05 AM

see thats how my husband is too he wont over charge you. he will give you a great price his work always looks amazing and he gets it done quick! it is really good that you know someone to do it for you that you can trust. make sure you keep them around because it might be a while before you find another good one.

contractors and painters both have very bad reputations but really there are some good ones and we shouldnt stereotype them, but while still making sure they aint robbing you blind lol.

house flipping coach · #7 11-10-2010, 08:12 PM

When a contractor wants money up front for supplies I say I will go with
you to buy and pay for the supplies. I don't give them any money until work is done. Then I pay them at the end of the week for the work they did. Also make sure all the supplies get to the house and are accounted for. Once the money is out of your pocket it will not be back. Pay everybody by check so you have a record of it for accounting.

flippinout · #8 11-11-2010, 01:46 AM

Again, this is great advise. I have had people tell me that they gave the contractor money with the understanding that it was for supplies for the job only to be told later that the money was for the contractor.

Needless to say, supplies werent bought and I advised the person to find a more reliable person to do the job.