Crooked Contractors

flip_it_fast · #1 04-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Many times in flipping houses you will come upon projects that need to be done that are beyond what you can handle yourself. You might have to turn to a contractor to get things done. As we all learned with Hurricane Katrina, there are plenty of crooked contractors out there just waiting to take your money, do shady work and drive off into the sunset!

There are ways to spot a crooked contractor so be on the look out for these....

1. If the contractor refuses to let you see his license and insurance info. Thats a big red flag.

2. If they have no references and no business address.

3. If your instincts are screaming NO, trust in them. Nine times out of ten your instincts are right.

4. If they are pushing you get things done without signing a contract.

5. If they ask you to write them a personal check for uilding supplies instead of writing it to the supply company. Don't ever do that.

There are lots of things that can clue you in as to whether they are legit contractors or not. Don't let them sweet talk you into anything.

troubles74 · #2 04-02-2010, 06:07 PM

Yes you can get taken by a contractor easier then you think.

I hired a contractor to come in and install a brand new air conditioning unit and duct work,the house had never had central heat and air before.

They gave a good price and we hired them,we looked at three other companies as well but we decided to go with them.

They came in and cut the vents out right over the kids beds and we had to throw away their blankets and get new ones because you could not get the saw dust out of them.

We had to get them to come back and repair the unit more then eight times in the first six months,we lost our love seat and couch that we had in the living room because when we were gone to a ball game and because they didn't put a drop on the drain line the pan filled up and leaked through the ceiling on to our furniture.

Basically we had a nightmare on our hands and never were reimbursed for the furniture and stuff that we lost but we sure lit a fire under the manufactures butts about their installer that we hired.