- Don't let a contractor force you to make a decision to hire
them until you have fully investigated them, but remember in the
wake of a disaster their services will be in high demand.
- Don't hire a contractor that solicits your business.
- Unsolicited phone calls, door knocks, or phone calls are
usually from unsavory repairmen and contractors.
- Don't automatically choose the lowest bidder.
- Don't pay a premium. Don't let someone who is offering to
"help," take advantage and charge you more than what is fair.
- Don't pay in cash.
- Scammers or Chuck-In-A-Truck fly-by-night contractors often ask
for cash because they know once you give it to them, it cannot be
traced.
- Don't pay in full up front.
- Typically, pay no more than 1/3rd up front.
- Once you are satisfied with the contractor and feel you can
trust them, you can pay an additional 1/3rd, after they have
completed 1/3rd of the job.
- Never pay the final 1/3rd (or pay in full) until the job is
done to your satisfaction.
- Don't sign your insurance check over to a contractor.
- Don't take the contractor's word that it is licensed/registered
to perform work in your city or that it is bonded, require them to
show you their paperwork and verify their insurance yourself.
- Don't verbally agree to any increase in the cost of the work,
and if there is a reason to agree, then document the change in the
total amount in writing.