Good old-fashioned word of mouth and online reviews continue to be the best ways to weed out disreputable contractors. Checking reviews on websites like Google, Home Advisor and Angi is a great start!
Regardless of how you find a contractor insist on a clear contract with a payment schedule and exact costs. Any hostile pushback to due diligence should be a red flag. Discover 5 essential tips for hiring a trustworthy garage contractor at https://www.teamgaragedoors.com.
1. Overpricing
While a contractor who is willing to work with you on your project to address challenges and obstacles is crucial to success, working with a company that overcharges can be detrimental to your garage project. A simple way to avoid this is by having open communication with your contractor and asking for a full quote before any work begins.
Significantly low bids can be a sign of desperation, inexperience or underhanded bidding techniques. It may also indicate that your contractor is using sub-par materials or performing shoddy repairs that can put your garage and its contents at risk. A legitimate contractor will be happy to explain any unforeseen costs before they occur. They should never attempt to nickel and dime you by overcharging for parts or labor.
2. Lack of professionalism
It’s important to find a garage contractor who has a professional attitude. This can be seen through their demeanor, attire or the way they interact with clients.
Lack of professionalism can be a sign of a scammer or an untrustworthy business. Individuals who don’t associate their work with a sense of professionalism may not have the motivation or zeal to carry out their job.
They might also be more likely to rip you off by bamboozling you with jargon. This could include telling you extra work needs to be done when it doesn’t or using high-cost parts instead of cheaper ones. A legitimate professional would be able to explain their reasoning in simple terms and provide you with a paper trail for all work they do on your project.
3. Poor reviews or references
Contractors who have poor reviews or are unable to provide references can leave you with sub-par work. They may use cheap building materials or do shoddy repairs that will need to be fixed in the future.
Down payments are typical in the industry, but if you’re asked to pay more than 30 percent upfront, this is a red flag. This can indicate that they are not a reliable contractor and will likely not honor their guarantee.
Another red flag is if they have changed their company name several times. While this could be a simple marketing choice, it also suggests they are trying to hide past problems. A quick search of Levelset’s Contractor Profiles can help you find any recent payment problems, liens and other information you should know.
4. Generic branding
Many scammers in the garage door industry use generic branding or ambiguous websites to hide their identities. This is a red flag that the company may not be authentic and should be avoided at all costs. A legitimate company will invest in their brand, provide insurance and warranties, and use high-quality products and services.
You should also be wary of contractors that avoid well-written contracts or refuse to provide detailed specifications for the project. This is often a sign that they are looking to take advantage of homeowners and will not do the quality work expected of them. These are just a few of the many warning signs to watch out for when choosing a garage contractor.
5. Underpriced services
Some contractors will try to lure customers in with a low quote, but this can backfire in the long run. Significantly low bids can be a sign of desperation, inexperience, and illegal bidding techniques.
Another trick some garages use is to convince you that extra repairs are needed when they’re not. This is done by bamboozling you with technical jargon and making it sound as if they need to do a lot of work on your car.
It is possible to avoid falling prey to these scams, but it requires doing your homework thoroughly before choosing a company for any repairs or replacements. Pay attention to warning signs such as lack of professionalism, poor reviews or references, generic branding and underpriced services. Then you’ll be sure to choose a reputable contractor that will give you the quality workmanship you deserve.