Hiring the Right Contractors

[Dan Carignan]

How do you hire the right contractors to get the job done!

[Clay Smith]

I train them. I tell them up front. We pay check not cash. I take a picture of driver license. I obtain address if different. We determine a hourly rate before work begins. I hand them time cards from office supply store. I have them send picture and leave time card slip onsite every Thursday. I mail checks Friday. No advances or payday drop offs. Must take lunch, it is required (by me) so don't bill me. Never pay a day ahead. Never loan money. Never drop off checks early Friday, only ever drop off checks late if you want more work done; they will leave early. Tell them "good job" often. Don't start off w/o a 1099, otherwise you will have to pay more per hr when you convert them later. I don't do bids, only time & cost. Get a big box store account so you can approve purchases from a distance. Praise in public, care-front them In private. Do not rent to them unless they are full time with you. If they lie about hours, stand up for yourself and refuse to use them. I get all my workers through referral. Facebook, Realtors, investors, REIA members (check sponsor adds), if all else fails...YELP reviews.