At Little Cahaba Remodeling, we know it’s easy for homeowners to get burned by shady remodelers.
We also know that you shouldn’t need to wonder if your remodeler is honest. That’s why we wrote this post–so you can know what to look for when hiring a remodeler.
Spotting Red Flags: Start With the Basics
Let’s get into the red flags that signal a shady remodeler.
If a remodeler shows up asking for full payment before the work begins, run away.
A trustworthy remodeler will never ask for 100% upfront.
In most cases, even 50% down can be a little aggressive if nothing’s in writing yet.
Many honest remodelers will ask for some money upfront, but it won’t be the full amount.
Also, make sure the person you hire has a valid home builder’s license.
They should also have a business license in the city where they’re doing the work.
If they don’t have both, they aren’t following the rules, and you’ll be the one stuck dealing with the consequences.
And their licenses should be current, so you know they’re up-to-speed on everything they should know to do the job correctly.
You should also ask for proof of insurance and references from past clients. If they hesitate or change the subject, that’s a red flag.
Asking these questions from your remodeler isn’t rude–it’s covering your bases, so you don’t get burned.
Because any remodeler worth their salt should be ready to prove they’re properly insured and licensed, and they should have plenty of references available.
Red Flag: Being Unable (or Unwilling) to Answer Questions
A quality remodeler should be able to explain what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.
If someone can’t walk you through how something should be framed, wired, or sealed to prevent moisture, that’s a red flag.
You need someone who can explain the job in plain language so you know exactly what’s happening in your home.
A shady remodeler will make it clear that they don’t want to answer your questions. They don’t care about your preferences, and they certainly don’t want to explain their recommendations.
Red Flag: Avoiding Written Contracts
You and your remodeler should both have a clear understanding of what’s included in the project.
That means putting everything in writing.
The scope of work, the cost, and how and when you’ll pay should all be part of the contract.
If something else needs to be done, it should be documented with a change order before the work continues. Writing it down protects you and the remodeler.
And without a written contract, you and the remodeler are left vulnerable.
Both parties need to be able to point at something and be able to say, “That wasn’t included,” or “This will cost extra.”
So, make sure you have a contract before any project starts.
Shady builders will do “handshake agreements” or put off getting you a contract (if they give you one at all).
Other Red Flags
One of the best ways to tell if a remodeler is unethical is that they won’t listen to you.
Unethical remodelers are going to act arrogant. Since they think they know best, they want you to shut up and take their hand-shake agreement.
Plus, they’ll position themselves as the cheapest option (which is easy to do if they plan to cut corners).
If you see any of these behaviors, consider them red flags.
Note: Sometimes shady remodelers will low-ball their estimate to get the job, and you end up paying way more than you thought. So, get pricing from multiple remodelers.
What Aren’t Red Flags
Let’s talk about some things that might seem like red flags but really aren’t.
Not being on-site every day
In our experience, some homeowners are surprised to learn that remodelers aren’t on-site every single day. This isn’t necessarily a red flag.
The project hasn’t been abandoned.
It most likely means that the remodeler is managing several moving parts—scheduling subcontractors, ordering materials, and working through the timeline. Also, it may mean that the remodeler has other jobs going on, and they need to allocate their time appropriately.
So, not being on site every day isn’t typically negligence–it’s normal.
Longer-than-expected projects
A shifting timeline also isn’t usually a warning sign of a shady remodeler.
When timelines move, it’s often because of weather, illness, scope changes, or supply delays (not because the remodeler is unethical).
Summary of What an Honest Remodeler Does
Now that you know what a shady remodeler does, let’s talk about the actions of an honest remodeler.
A trustworthy remodeler will:
- Show you their up-to-date homebuilders and business licenses
- Prove they are insured
- Provide references
- Really listen to your preferences
- Ask questions
- Explain their recommendations
At Little Cahaba Remodeling, we do all of this.
Plus, we help you think through decisions before the work begins—because once it’s finished, redoing it is expensive.
We’ll also work with you to make sure the end result fits your home, your budget, and your goals.
Lastly, we don’t rush through our projects (because we don’t cut corners).
All that to say, if you’re planning a remodeling project, give us a call: (205) 894-5621.
We’re here to provide you with quality, trustworthy services.