Finding contractors on Craigslist

[Account Closed]

I have been looking for contractors in the Austin area and a couple hours ago I finally decided to put an ad on Craigslist. Is this a good way to find good contractors? I've already received about 15 emails but most of these people don't work for a company. Should I still consider them?

[Doss Mann]

The key to my success thus far is because of 1 self employed small time guy I found on craigslist 3 yrs ago for a small project at my residence. It takes a little time, alot of phone calls, Internet and luck.

For starters dont post that you need a contractor. You pick them dont let them pick you or you will get every jack of all trade, excon, scammer, middleman and mr-fix-it within 100 miles calling looking looking for work. They want to come on their schedule, they do it part time for extra cash, only work certain days, got layed off and making ends meet, need to borrow tools, etc. i learned the long way. You want full time skilled career guys.

You can prescreen them by reading reviews, Angie's list, ripoff report, google etc. Narrow it down from there.

Ask to see pictures of previous work, make sure it is theirs by looking for them, their vehicle, dogs, etc in the pictures.

Ask and call for several references, or go by their current project.

Anyone that ask for money for mateials up front is suspect. Tell them to give you a list and you order it. This has 2 major benefits.

1. Having material delivered saves hrs that they would otherwise be driving, loading , driving , unloading. Instead they can get right to work.

2. You can track costs better and ensure your not overbuying material so they can go do other jobs with or getting marked up. This makes it easier to estimate future jobs.

I don't hire general contractors for sfr rehabs to do what I already can and know how to do. I don't want to pay to be 2nd or 3rd fiddle for the GC who is focused on getting more jobs than competing the ones he has.

I also dont pay for estimates or trip charges. (Except for my regulars who come out to estimate a property i don't have a contract on.)

I have recieved lots of etimates for the same projects from all sorts of tradesmen and services from craigslist , mostly duds but a few keepers. I got 7 estimates for a roof once and ending up using my tile mans cousin who wasn't one of the 7.

Knowing what it costs, how its done right, and or experience in the trade is key to not getting ripped off. I have literally laughed into the phone when I got a quote after an estimate once.

If there is one thing to remember its the big companies with several fancy trucks, logos, websites and billboards cost exponentially more.Somebody has to pay all those wages, advertising, workers comp, bonding, BBB fees and insurance. That somebody is you. If it makes you feel good then hire them.

Home Depot is a broker for expensive and bad service companies. Those fine print agreements release them from all bad servic and wrongdoing.

The small home office word of mouth reference guys that specialize in one area tend be highly skilled and have more incentive to do good work. These are the guys you can build a relationship with for future business and dicounts.

2 of my extended family members earn well into 6 figures and they don't advertise. One is a GC and the other 2nd generation carpenter/ deck builder. Their websites haven't been updated for years.

There are good ones to be found but you have to sort through alot of crap.

Whatever you are comfortable with and if you have time to get several estimates then craigslist can be a diamond mine.