Building projects can run into a lot of money, especially if you need to repair your roof or want to add onto a home. It is critical because of that to take caution with who you hire and place your trust in. The majority of builders out here are honest, hardworking men, but a small minority are considered cowboy builders that will cheat you however they can. Hiring one of these men can cost you thousands of dollars, not only in lost money but in unfinished or shoddily built work. That's why it is necessary to be aware of the tell tale signs of a cowboy builder before you hire.
The most obvious sign is when they come knocking on your front door. He'll most likely point out things that need fixing, like your roof or even the drive way, and offer to fix it for a low fee. This is called cold calling and it is unheard of among real builders. Reputable builders are too busy to go door to door trying to find work, people come to them.
Usually these cowboy builders are very charming. They ooze confidence and friendliness, making it hard to know whether they are a qualified person or not. And, they try to make it hard for you to question their abilities. Taking a look at their vehicle can help you decide, a professional will have a professional looking van, usually with a sign on it. Don't let his friendliness sway you, he may act like he is doing you a favor but what he is really doing is trying to swindle you.
Always be wary of any builder who insists on cash only. They will insist on taking cash with one reason or another on why cash is better than a check, usually trying to convince you how you'll save in taxes by paying in cash. Most will also ask for the money upfront. Along with the insistence on cash, he'll also refuse to sign a contract insisting that paperwork is unnecessary.
When you ask for references or what other work he has done locally, he'll be unable to provide that to you. He'll either not have a list on hand to provide you with or tell you not to worry, everyone knows him. Good builders pride themselves on their reputations and always have references on hand for their clients.
As mentioned above, builders that are good are busy and when hired may not be able to start for several weeks. A cowboy builder will want to begin right away, the same day or the next morning. Anyone that offers to start work immediately should be viewed with suspicion and research done before hiring.
A lot of money goes into upgrading your home and building projects, and no one can afford to just throw that money away. Do research on the builders in the area before selecting the one to work for you. Protect yourself from those dodgy builders by learning the tell tale signs of a cowboy builder so you don't get caught in their trap.
The most obvious sign is when they come knocking on your front door. He'll most likely point out things that need fixing, like your roof or even the drive way, and offer to fix it for a low fee. This is called cold calling and it is unheard of among real builders. Reputable builders are too busy to go door to door trying to find work, people come to them.
Usually these cowboy builders are very charming. They ooze confidence and friendliness, making it hard to know whether they are a qualified person or not. And, they try to make it hard for you to question their abilities. Taking a look at their vehicle can help you decide, a professional will have a professional looking van, usually with a sign on it. Don't let his friendliness sway you, he may act like he is doing you a favor but what he is really doing is trying to swindle you.
Always be wary of any builder who insists on cash only. They will insist on taking cash with one reason or another on why cash is better than a check, usually trying to convince you how you'll save in taxes by paying in cash. Most will also ask for the money upfront. Along with the insistence on cash, he'll also refuse to sign a contract insisting that paperwork is unnecessary.
When you ask for references or what other work he has done locally, he'll be unable to provide that to you. He'll either not have a list on hand to provide you with or tell you not to worry, everyone knows him. Good builders pride themselves on their reputations and always have references on hand for their clients.
As mentioned above, builders that are good are busy and when hired may not be able to start for several weeks. A cowboy builder will want to begin right away, the same day or the next morning. Anyone that offers to start work immediately should be viewed with suspicion and research done before hiring.
A lot of money goes into upgrading your home and building projects, and no one can afford to just throw that money away. Do research on the builders in the area before selecting the one to work for you. Protect yourself from those dodgy builders by learning the tell tale signs of a cowboy builder so you don't get caught in their trap.
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