How do you know a contractor is a good one?

Question

I'm trying to build a team, and of course I need a contractor.  My brother in-law referred me to one and he is cool but something he won't answer my text about meeting up or what he thinks about a house.  Is it because I'm new and he thinks I'm just wasting his time? Anyways I do want more then 1 contractor if I want to do this full time.  How are you guys finding contractors? Any warning signs? or anything I should ask or look for when looking for contractors?  Will a contractor help me if I just need him for stuff I don't know anything about? I ask because I do know how to do some of the job, like putting new floors, paint, etc. small stuff.  Will a contractor be offended if I told him I just need him for half of the rehab and the other half I can do ? Thanks guys

Jeff V. · Answer

Also, remember to as for referrals across trades.

For example when getting a quote from a carpenter ask who he likes to work with that does hvac or electric work.  Or ask a carpenter who the best plumber In the area is. Ask a painter who he likes to follow for carpentry work or sheet rock work.

You get the idea.

These guys and gals have been in the market and know who are good and who produces crap work.

Ask them if they have worked with some of the people you got a quote from and get feedback.

There are some guys who drag their feet and hold everyone else up. The contractors know who they have had to wait days for. Gather this input along the way.

Sometimes it's more important to know who not to hire than it is to find the perfect contractor.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Jeff V

Jeff V. · Answer

@Youdo Thirakul

First thing, I would only call a contractor when you have a job that you need a quote on.  Get 2 or 3 quotes and use these opportunities to interview a few new contractors each time.  You will eventually find that good contractor that you want to call for every job.  Until then, keep interviewing.  Just don't waste their time or they will start dodging calls ect.

Once you have that go to guy and you have repore with him he may be willing to walk the properties with you before purchasing, if he is sure that you will not jerk him around and he will get the job when you buy the deal.  They will not work for free but if it shuffles work their way they will help you out.

It takes time to build these relationships and Yes you will want to have 2 contractors for each trade on speed dial.  This allows you to keep your primary one honest by having a second quote to be sure he is still in the ball park on price, also he may have another job lined up and not be able to get to yours in a timely manner.  You will be able to call your backup buy and give him a chance to step up to the plate.  You can also tackle multiple projects if you have more than one guy on speed dial.

Hope this helps.

Jeff V

Mike Reynolds · Answer

As a contractor myself I will say this. Sometimes it is because you are new they wont respond. They think you are kicking tires and not serious. Maybe not reliable in the pay out department or just plain green and unreasonable.

That shouldn't matter. EVERY customer should be treated the same until you prove untrustworthy or wishy washy. They should have in place a way to vet you as you should too. There have been times I have let a customer go but only after they have proved they might not be who I want to work for. Never after one phone call. It really burns me up the level of professionalism that seems abundant in the trades. The most common is people seem to think it is easy to do and decide to go into the contracting business. Its like wholesaling I guess. Its easy to get into but not always easy to get it right.

OTOH,   Alaska is a different animal. There are only certain months that work can be done. Volume is high in those months. I even know people from Texas and Louisiana that spend the whole summer up there and "retire" in the winter here. That could be your problem if that's where you are looking for contractors.

Scott Sewell · Answer

Dittos to everything said above @Youdo Thirakul,

ALL good advise. Especially the part about respecting their time and paying the good ones promptly.

I remember the interview with J Scott on the podcast (one of the early ones) where he said:

'go to home depot at 7am. Look for the guys who are there getting stuff for themselves and/or their crews. These are the ones who take their business seriously'                     I always thought that was BRILLIANT!

All I would ad is:                                                                                                                                                                                             In the vetting process (for you and them) go to a couple of their jobs and look around. Construction is always a little chaotic but,  Are things (materials, work stations, tools, etc.) neat and orderly? Is the site reasonably clean (swept up, organized)? Trash in it's place?

Or are their tools scattered hither and yon? piles of dis-associated materials together? Unorganized piles in general? Tripping hazards everywhere (material cut-offs, hoses, electrical cords)? Piles of trash? and dust/debris everywhere?

As a construction stiff myself, I can tell you from 35 years experience, what you see is what you'll get. IMHO, how a man keep his work site says volumes about how much he values what he produces.

Brandon Ingegneri · Answer

Being a contractor myself, I can tell you that when you do find a good one, pay him right away and keep him happy, because good ones are not all that common.  When you find one with solid references, quality work, and one that has an actual business sense and looks/conducts himself professionally, your on your way to a finding a good one.  Many are good at their respective trade, but are not the best business people or customer service agents.

Look at the work, but when you have a business man and a tradesman rolled into one person or company, they may not be the cheapest, but they will be more cost effective in the long run and will bring less BS to the table.  Show up on time, return your calls, and do what they say they are going to do when they say that they are going to do it.

Tim B. · Answer

I'd think a good reference or two would be a great sign.

Youdo Thirakul · Answer

@Scott Sewell i remember that podcast. Good tips, i will look for those things.  @Brandon Ingegneri make sense, you pay for what you get. thanks guys

Youdo Thirakul · Answer

appreciate it ! @Jeff V.

How do you know a contractor is a good one?

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