You’ve likely seen the story on your local news: A fly-by-night contractor swoops into town and scams dozens of homeowners out of thousands of dollars each before disappearing without a trace.
No one wants to go through such an ordeal. And yet it happens all the time, especially during the summer when more homeowners start home improvement projects.
The vast majority of contractors are honest and trustworthy, but there will always be those who are ready and willing to run a scam and run off with your money. So how can you make sure you find a reliable and reputable contractor who keeps their promises? And how do you make sure you’re hiring the right professional for the job?
In this course I'll show you where to find the best contractors and teach you what to look for.
Let’s take a look.
Do You Need a Contractor or Handyman?
Take a look at your project to-do list. Perhaps you need to replace the roof, fix the leak under the kitchen sink, re-tile the hallway floor, and install a ceiling fan in your son’s bedroom. You’d also like to build a small deck for summer cookouts.
Some of these projects are relatively easy to complete, while others are far more complex. So the question becomes: Do you need to hire a contractor, or will a handyman suffice?
Certain projects require in-depth knowledge and even local or state certifications; for these projects, you’ll need a contractor. Other projects can be tackled by someone who knows how to use a bandsaw or who has the time to fix a leaking pipe; for these projects, you can call a handyman, who will typically charge less per hour or project than a licensed contractor.
If you’re still not sure if you need a general contractor, regular contractor, or handyman, follow these rules:
If the job will take more than a week, hire a GC.
If the job requires several different pros to complete, hire a GC.
If the job requires a few permits, hire a GC.
If these rules don’t apply to your project, you might be fine with a regular contractor or even a handyman.
In this course I'll Teach you where to find the best contractors, and how to interview them to make sure you're hiring a professional.
