By Merilee Kern
In the wake of disasters like fires, hurricanes, floods, landslides and more, many homeowners find themselves targeted by opportunistic contractors eager to exploit their vulnerability. Promising quick fixes and “priority service,” these unscrupulous individuals use high-pressure tactics to secure deposits or contracts without delivering on their promises. For homeowners facing the stress of fire, smoke or water damage, they are now taking time to research and vet contractors to avoid falling victim to these scams.
“Unfortunately, disasters that impact a residential structure often attract unscrupulous people posing as reputable contractors to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners,” says Paul Dashevsky, Co-CEO of GreatBuildz—a free online home repair/renovation contractor matching and repair/remodel advisory platform.
“Homeowners today are being far more vigilant, taking prudent time to research, evaluate and hire a trustworthy contractor.”
Here, Dashevsky provides tips contractors would do well to heed in order to give homeowners peace of mind when choosing to hire a pro … along with an at-a-glance 20-point checklist contractors should also be mindful of:
Reputable Repair Contractors Do This:
- Confirm they have a valid?general contractor’s license with no consumer complaints.
- Verify they carry at least?$1 million in liability insurance?and an active worker’s compensation policy.
- Curate online reviews allowing homeowners to gauge their reputation and reliability.
- Proactively offers references or past clients to learn about their experiences with the contractor.
Reputable Repair Contractors Don’t Do This:
- Going door-to-door seeking work or using high-pressure sales tactics.
- Offer to “kick back” a portion of the insurance proceeds if they are hired—this is insurance fraud.
- Request large upfront deposits to “hold the job.”
- Employ aggressive sales tactics to get clients to sign a contract immediately.
20-Point Checklist for Vetting Home Repair Contractors
According to Dashevsky, the following checklist will help contractors ensure the can be well-vetted, promoting transparency, accountability, and high-quality work.
- Does the contractor commit to responding to calls, messages, texts, and emails within 24 hours?
- Will the contractor provide regular, timely, and honest communication, including identifying a primary contact person?
- Does the contractor offer a detailed written scope, contract, and schedule for the project?
- Will the contractor advise in writing about any extra charges or change orders, including pricing, and wait for written homeowner approval before starting?
- Does the contractor agree to alert the homeowner immediately about any potential quality issues and discuss solutions?
- Will the contractor notify the homeowner in advance of any potential delays (e.g., materials, weather)?
- If quality issues arise, does the contractor commit to resolving them in a mutually agreeable manner?
- Can the contractor provide guidance and expertise regarding materials while respecting the homeowner’s final selection decisions?
- Does the contractor maintain a clean, safe, and organized work site throughout the project?
- Will the contractor use materials that are up to code and meet industry standards?
- Is the contractor’s license, insurance, and bond current and valid for the project duration?
- Does the contractor agree to secure necessary permits, pass inspections, and ensure all work meets building codes?
- Will the contractor collect reasonable deposits and tie further payments to percentage completion milestones?
- Does the contractor provide a minimum one-year warranty on the completed project?
- Are charges for extras or change orders based on true costs, and will the contractor allow the homeowner time to verify estimates?
- Does the contractor commit to not prioritizing other projects at the expense of delays to the homeowner’s project?
- Will the contractor avoid overcommitting to too many projects that could lead to delays?
- Does the contractor guarantee a consistent crew presence on the job site every weekday for eight full hours, barring holidays or special circumstances?
- Are the contractor’s workers experienced in the specific trades required for the homeowner’s project scope?
- Does the contractor hire only qualified and experienced subcontractors with applicable licenses and insurance?
“Disasters often attract unscrupulous contractors who exploit vulnerable homeowners, using high-pressure tactics to secure deposits and contracts without delivering promised services,” warns Dashevsky. “Increasingly cautions consumers research potential contractors and avoid making decisions under duress. Due diligence is key.”
At the very least, the tips and 20-point checklist above can help contractors ensure transparency, accountability, and high-quality repairs that alleviate consumer stress rather than compound it. By taking the time to cover these checklist items, contractors can best ensure their repairs will be handled with professionalism and care.
About the Author
Merilee Kern, MBA is a brand strategist and analyst who reports on industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators: field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is also Founder,?Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well and is Host of both the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV and the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show airing in top U.S. markets. Connect with her at?www.TheLuxeList.com?and?www.SavvyLiving.tv?/ Instagram?www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern?/ Twitter?www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern?/ Facebook?www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial?/ LinkedIN?www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
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