10 Red Flags: How to Spot a Bad Contractor in Houston, Texas
The purpose of this blog is to assist you in recognizing untrustworthy contractors prior to starting your project in Houston Texas. Learning to identify unreliable contractors will save you thousands or even hundreds of thousands. Contractors in Houston are not required to be licenses for Remodeling or construction work. Contractors in the skilled trade such as plumbers, electricians and HVAC ARE required to be licensed. These contractors usually sub their work to remodeling and construction contractors. Anyone can claim to do remodeling and construction work. All they need is a business name and do not need licensing. This is why you must take precautions before finalizing a deal with remodeling or construction contractor. Despite homeowners’ efforts to select the most reliable contractor, there is an overwhelming number of stories about having negative experiences with contractors and their projects. According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, one-third of homeowners expressed a desire to terminate their contract with the contractor they hired, while 52 percent reported having encountered unsatisfactory experiences with contractors. That means that numerous homeowners have suffered financial losses from hiring a bad contractor. Archer Pro in Houston encounters countless homeowners who require project rework due to the previous contractor’s mistakes.
It often takes a few months for homeowners to realize that their installation was poorly done, as problems start to arise. Consequently, they are forced to pay for new demolition and new installation for the same project. It is disheartening that some individuals spend years saving up their hard-earned money only to lose it all to an incompetent contractor. Despite carefully selecting what they thought was a reliable contractor, there are countless stories of homeowners ending up with subpar results. This indicates that millions of people inadvertently make the wrong choice when hiring a contractor. It would be unfair to blame the homeowners for trying to save money; the responsibility lies only on the contractor. In some cases, the contractor genuinely believes they can handle the job but ultimately fail, while in other instances, the contractor knowingly takes on a project they are incapable of completing successfully.
Even experienced professional General Contractors have had unfortunate experiences with unreliable subcontractors. However, the key difference lies in how quickly a General Contractor can identify a subpar subcontractor before undergoing financial losses. On the other hand, homeowners often realize this after having already invested a significant amount of money.
In Houston, it seems that bad contractors are prevalent everywhere. Unlike other states, Texas does not enforce licensing requirements for general contractors. While certain trades like plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC require licensing, remodeling and construction do not. In fact, acquiring a simple business permit, which is relatively inexpensive, is all that Texas mandates. Consequently, individuals with no prior knowledge or experience in remodeling can easily obtain a permit. This lack of regulation is the primary reason behind the numerous tales of poorly executed jobs by contractors in Houston.
With the aim of helping you avoid hiring an unreliable contractor, I will provide valuable insights and guidance. However, if you are seeking an exceptional contractor, I highly recommend reaching out to Archer Pro and joining their waiting list. In the event that Archer Pro is not accessible to you, please pay close attention to the following advice. Here is a list of key indicators that will help you spot a bad contractor.
If a contractor requests an excessive amount of money upfront, it is advisable to terminate the contract with them, as most other contractors do not engage in such practices. If you are reluctant to provide a large sum upfront, it is recommended to have a conversation with your contractor. Express your desire to only provide funds for necessary materials and propose giving another payment upon the commencement of work. This approach conveys your commitment to the project and demonstrates that you are a knowledgeable homeowner who cannot be easily exploited.
Please ensure that the contractor includes in their contract the specific installation method that will be used for all building materials. For instance, if a contractor installs tile by placing a clump of cement on the floor and then pressing it down to level the tile, the tile is likely to fail in the near future. The correct installation method involves using a trowel to spread the cement in a particular direction, allowing air to escape once the tile is placed. Some of the less reputable contractors may take shortcuts to complete the job more quickly, as they have provided you with a lower price. The quicker the job is finished, the higher the profit for the contractor. It is important to obtain a list of different installation methods and their appropriate techniques to avoid falling victim to any scams.
If you rely solely on an oral agreement, you may be setting yourself up for difficulties. Without a written contract, there is no way to hold anyone accountable. In the event that the installation is done incorrectly, it will be challenging to request repairs or corrections. The contractors are likely to simply leave without addressing the issue. If they refuse to put the agreement in writing, it is advisable to move on to the next contractor.
Using the cheapest materials indicates that they are not prioritizing your best interests. Their main concern is getting paid, and they do not genuinely care if your project starts falling apart once they are gone. Cheap materials are often used when you are selling your house and do not care about the problems that the next buyer will face.
If a contractor bills you for services they did not perform, such as obtaining permits or purchasing high-quality materials, it is important to address the issue. When it comes to permits, the contractor should be responsible for pulling them rather than keeping the money for themselves. If they charge you for premium materials but end up using cheaper alternatives, it is crucial to inquire about the reason behind their choice. There have been instances where contractors mistakenly sent their workers to Home Depot, resulting in the procurement of incorrect materials. This has happened multiple times over the course of my 14-year experience. It is acceptable for a contractor to utilize leftover materials from a previous job, as we often purchase extra supplies to save time and minimize trips to the store. Each trip to the store incurs expenses, including the worker’s time, fuel, and potential disruption to the workflow. The contractor has already paid for the materials and is at liberty to sell them to anyone they choose. Ordering excess materials is a common practice among contractors.
