Hiring A Contractor - 10 Mistakes To Avoid

A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.

1. Not knowing what you want. If you don't know what you want, you might not like what you get. Also, if you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract - and price - have changed (Hint: it won't get cheaper). Know clearly what you want done.

2. Not getting everything in writing. You don't want to hear, "I didn't say I was going to include the gutters."

3. Not having dates in the contract. Did you want it finished this year? You better have it in the contract.

4. Paying too much up front. A deposit may be a reasonable request when the contract is signed, and money for materials prior to the start date. Never pay in full before the job is finished.

5. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Actually, this can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). The license doesn't mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. A contractor will right his wrongs to avoid losing that license.

6. Hiring the first one in the phone book. Ask friends who had work done, or the owner of a hardware store. Find a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.

7. Thinking there will be no problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it's not okay if the contractor can't work out the issues to your satisfaction.

8. Expecting neatness. Believe it or not, it is sometimes efficient to leave things laying where they'll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.

9. Not having penalties in the contract. This is important on large jobs. It's one thing to say "Work to be completed by May 2nd," but better to add, "$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd." That's what I call a motivational clause.

10. Thinking contracts will prevent problems. They help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or use "literal readings" to make things even worse. Find someone you can work with, and keep your eyes open.

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

---

What You Can Do To Sell Your Home Fast

Yes, you want to sell your home and you want... Read More

Property Investment - What Future For the Biggest Bubble of All Time?

The Economist magazine published a special report in this months... Read More

Death, Taxes, and Foreclosures

So how do you find the best foreclosures. Its not... Read More

10 ?No Money Down? Ways to Buy Real Estate

Turn the Television on any Sunday morning and you'll find... Read More

Lake Property in Danbury

A lakeside vacation or second home can be a quiet... Read More

11 Different Ways to Participate in The New Millennium Real State Boom

Many parts of the country are going through a real... Read More

Minneapolis Warehouse Loft

Downtown Minneapolis is rich with true metropolitan charm. With the... Read More

Searching For Maui Beachfront Houses?

Who wouldn't want to move into a Maui beachfront house?... Read More

Beat the Crowd when Investing in Real Estate

We all are thinking about it and some of us... Read More

Boston Real Estate ? You Still Have Considerable Control Over the Sale of Your Boston Home

Boston real estate is a hot topic. Daily newspaper articles... Read More

Real Estate Bubble: Fact or Fiction?

The real estate market buzz across the country these days... Read More

Is An Old Home for You? ? The Pros

If you prefer a home that is unique and has... Read More

A Singles Game of Real Estate

This discussion leans toward answering questions asked most often by... Read More

Buying Land For Development Requires Careful Planning and Execution

From the desk of Colm Dillon ... Author "Residential Development... Read More

Golf and Waterfront Living: Live, Play, Relax

With today's planned lifestyle communities, golf and boating enthusiasts have... Read More

How I Became a Real Estate Investor

Recently I closed on the sale of two homes. They... Read More

Look Past the Bottom Line for a Propertys Potential

It's unfortunate that many real estate investors tend to look... Read More

How Professional Property Investors Interpret and Use Capital Growth Statistics

Understanding and using yearly price growth statistics in an area... Read More

Property Investing Secrets 1

When property investing, pay the seller their asking price but... Read More

The Real Estate Agent Alphabet

Alphabet Letters after a person's name seem to bestow some... Read More

Home Buying: Things To Keep In Mind

So you've decided you want to own a home and... Read More

To Buy or Not to Buy

Purchasing a home is a major emotional and financial decision.... Read More

Real Estate Season is Here

Yes, it has finally arrived. This is the time of... Read More

Where To Start In Looking For A Central Illinois Realtor

Central Illinois is an excellent location for families and businesses.... Read More

Property Auction & Why You Should Run A Mile From Them

That's A Funny Thing To Say About Property Auctions; They're... Read More

Real Estate Value: Knowing yours is Key to Mortgage Success

The value of the real estate you own, whether it... Read More

Home Staging: How to Make Your Tract Home Stand Out in the Crowd

Home sellers who wish to market their property in development... Read More

How to Negotiate a Successful Short Sale

Anyone who has ever profited from doing a short sale... Read More

Investor Banned From Offering Property For Rent

Do you realize that you might be prevented from renting... Read More

Eight Out of Ten Millionaires Surveyed Made their Fortune in Real Estate - How?

Consider the statistic in the title for a moment.8/10 millionaires... Read More

How to Make a Buyer Fall in Love with Your Home

If you are thinking of selling your home, there are... Read More

The Ultimate Short Sale Secret

Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More

3 Top Real Estate Investing Methods for Maximum Wealth

Real Estate investing can be used to gain wealth in... Read More