In every industry, there are good workers and there are bad workers; there are honest people and there are liars. Unfortunately, the contracting world is not immune to bad people. When looking to hire a contractor for a project, it’s in your best interest to do your homework and hire a quality contractor – your home, project, or business is in their hands! Bad contractors make good contractors look bad and have made a lot of people distrust contractors.

You don’t want to be scammed by a bad contractor. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we’ve heard it all, so we wanted to share with you some things and tips to keep in mind for you to spot a bad contractor before you hire them.

• If you are approached by a contractor for a job, there is a good chance this person doesn’t have good intentions. Don’t entertain contractors who home to your home unannounced.
• Do research on contractors in your area. Look for reviews online and call the Better Business Bureau. Call the Department of Business & Regulation in your state and make sure the contractor you’re interested in has a license and carries insurance.
• Ask a question (could be easy or hard) that you already know the answer to (and that the contractor should know too). If the contractor doesn’t know the answer, this is a good sign you should not hire them.
• If a contractor cannot or will not give you references, don’t hire them.
• If your contractor will not give you a written contract, don’t work with them.
• If you’re doing a big job and your contractor refuses to get a permit, he likely isn’t licensed. Stop working with him immediately.
• A quality contractor will set you up with a payment plan and never in cash.

If any of these strange situations or red flags pop up when dealing with a contractor, kindly end your relationship with them and move onto a more reputable contractor. You don’t want to be scammed out of money with a half-finished home.

Looking to get your contractor’s license? Join the thousands of reputable contractors and work in this rewarding industry. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who help contractors all over the country get their licenses. To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.