Contractor: Warning Signs of a Low Quality Contractor

When you choose a contractor, you need to make sure that he plans to follow any city regulations and building codes in your area. If he does not, you might save money upfront on the project, but you will likely have to pay to have it redone in the future when the errors come to the attention of others in your city. Protect yourself by making sure that the professional you hire plans to follow the rules in place. 

The first step is finding a contractor who is licensed. There are some out there who are not, and while they might have experience, they do not have the same access to city codes as those who are licensed do. Therefore, it will be hard for them to stay within the limits of the rules if they do not know about them. You might be fined down the road if your project does not comply with the existing codes, which means it is your responsibility to request to se the license of your new contractor. 

You should also be cautious of contractors who provide you with a quote that is quite low compared to other offers you have received. The reason for the low price might be that he does not plan to pay the fees often involved with going about construction the right way, such as getting permits before starting a project. They often cost money, which should be built into the quoted price you receive. If it does not seem high enough to get the job done right, you should find another person to do the task. 

Most professional contractors submit plans to the city, as well as to the customer. If yours does not seem to have a plan or even a sketch of what he plans to do, run the other way. Most professionals like to make sure that the client knows what is going on before getting started, and has to clear the project with the city anyway. Otherwise, you might not be happy with the result, and could also be responsible for paying fees. 

These are just a few of the signs that your contractor does not intend to follow the rules in place. If this is the case, not only will you owe money eventually, but you can also expect a lower quality product since it is not completed by a professional. Knowing what to be wary of can save you money and time down the road.