Is That Licensed Contractor for Real?

Sometimes, hiring a licensed contractor is more trouble than you realize. These professionals do have the tools and the knowledge to help you to get your project done, but finding the right one for you may be a bit more of a challenge than you realized it would be. Sometimes, some contractors will simply lie to you. It takes just one person to put a bad taste in your mouth when it comes to hiring these professionals.

Spotting a Bad One

Hiring a licensed contractor is a process of putting trust into someone. You do not have to trust just anyone, though. You need to trust a person who can prove that he or she is worth working with based on the factors you learn about that person. To spot a person that you don't want to work with or that may be too risky for the job, look for the following warning signs.

- Ensure the person really is a licensed contractor. To do this, get a copy of the license that proves he or she holds it and that it is up to date. You also want to avoid any contractors who do not show you their insurance information.

- You do not want to work with someone that is avoiding a contract. You should never put any money upfront on a project if that contract is yet unsigned. If they do seem just "too busy" to be able to get it done, you should avoid working with this person.

- If you cannot verify the references of an individual or you cannot find any information on the company, run. This is an indication that they either are not who they say they are or that their references are bad. You also want to know where the business's fixed address is.

- Do go with your gut. Sometimes, you just do not like someone and you cannot pinpoint the reason why. This is a good time to find someone else to do the job for you.

- Ensure his or her business practices are sound. You should not be bargaining with the use of your home for projects not related to your own. You should not be pushed to sign a contract for a great deal right now. You want to ensure the business practices of the individual are good.

Overall, the licensed contractor needs to be someone that has the experience and the skills to do the job. You should be able to verify this information through third party sources, not just based on the information provided by the person. You can feel confident with the person you hire to do the job if you do the work to learn as much as possible about them.