There was a topic on the news today here in NY that got me twisted. It was about the “Contractor from Hell.” The news channel was out to help homeowners battle contractor’s who were ripping off unsuspecting homeowners.
My problem with this is when are they gonna help the contractors against the homeowners from hell. Why are the contractors the bad part of the equation? How about helping those of us who have to go through litigation to get a payment out of some homeowners?
As you all can tell, I’ve had a few bad experiences. I’m no longer have my own business but am still in the trades working for a national construction company. But my allegiance is still to my fellow tradesman. As a project superintendent, I make a conscious effort to ensure all the contractors on my job are paid on tim for work in place. Fair is fair. Do a day’s work, get a day’s pay..
But this bad rap we get from the homeowners has got to stop. We have to be licensed, insured, bonded, etc. Homeowners want references. What about their references? Should contractors do a credit check on the homeowner?
Thanks for letting me spew on..It’s kinda slow at work today!!
Replies
Unfortunately, expecting to see a piece about the bad customers in the equation is like expecting to see a piece on bad parents in reference to bad kids.
Not PC enough. Sells more newspapers/ad time this way.
Mike
That "article" runs on the local TV news a couple of times a year here in So. California. It sells air time. Unfortunatly there are enough ripoff artists in california who masquarade as "contractors" that it fuels the story and gives it new life.
As a HO, not in the trades anymore, but I spent my formative years as a framer, I can see both sides of the story. I have hired both the "contractor from hell" and the "savior in white with a tool belt". It usually begins with a communications breakdown and escalates into a lawsuit. My one horror experience was completly based on communications and assumptions made by both sides. Fortunatly we finally worked it out to our mutual satisfaction. Communicate, communicate and then get it in writing.
"Should contractors do a credit check on the homeowner?"
Sure, why not? You are extending credit to them by doing work before getting paid, so you have every right to do a credit check. Furthermore, you should charge them for it - it is part of the cost for you to do the job. By the same token, though, you should accept credit cards, that puts the burden of risk on the credit card company and makes life easier on the homeowner. Otherwise, skip the credit check and set up an escrow account with the full amount in it before starting work. That way you know the money is there and available. 2 signatures and voila, you collect your fee.
By the way, I am a homeowner, not a contractor. I have no problem with setting things up so the contractor knows s/he will be paid. But I need protection as well, like that offered by credit cards and escrow accounts.
Not only do a credit check. Check the clients references ( husband’s job, wife’s job - how long they have been working there if they are doing a good job )
Check the county clerk of records to see if they have or had leans or if the have file any. Also if they been convicted of any criminal activity.
The reason you never hear about the good contractors and bad homeowners-
1) good contractors are a smaller demographic than the bad homeowners
2) the news does not report when things go right, "Tonight at 6, the police kept most of the streets safe, most of the commuters got home safely, and, in sports, the local NFL team donated time to blah-blah-blah. . . "Steelkilt Lives!
Here in San Antonio we frequently hear about the good things that the Spurs team and players do in the community. Except for the stint with Dennis Rodman, it really has been a pretty well behaved group.
Do it right, or do it twice.