|
Author: Steven Gillman Article source: http://www.buyincomeproperties.com/. Used with author's permission.
A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.
1. Not knowing what you want. If you don't know what you want, you might not like what you get. Also, if you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract - and price - have changed (Hint: it won't get cheaper). Know clearly what you want done.
2. Not getting everything in writing. You don't want to hear, "I didn't say I was going to include the gutters."
3. Not having dates in the contract. Did you want it finished this year? You better have it in the contract.
4. Paying too much up front. A deposit may be a reasonable request when the contract is signed, and money for materials prior to the start date. Never pay in full before the job is finished.
5. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Actually, this can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). The license doesn't mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. A contractor will right his wrongs to avoid losing that license.
6. Hiring the first one in the phone book. Ask friends who had work done, or the owner of a hardware store. Find a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.
7. Thinking there will be no problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it's not okay if the contractor can't work out the issues to your satisfaction.
8. Expecting neatness. Believe it or not, it is sometimes efficient to leave things laying where they'll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.
9. Not having penalties in the contract. This is important on large jobs. It's one thing to say "Work to be completed by May 2nd," but better to add, "$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd." That's what I call a motivational clause.
10. Thinking contracts will prevent problems. They help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or use "literal readings" to make things even worse. Find someone you can work with, and keep your eyes open. Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
Get Results: Start with Your Marketing Message and Objective
Warning: Define Your Message and Objective First BEFORE Spending a Dime on Generating Online Visitor Traffic.
Is It Possible to Be Sued For My Debts?
It is possible for creditors and third-party collection agencies to use legal means as a way to collect debts. The likelihood of being sued or having your wages...
Inoculate Yourself Against Negativity
Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't avoid it. But we do not have to let ourselves be effected by it. So protect yourself from ...
How to Start Your Own Affiliate Program – Internet Marketing
Start your own affiliate program to generate "massive" traffic to your website...
The Need for Pet First Aid Kits
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for you and your family, it might not help when Fiddo or Fluffy gets hurt. To help pets in an emergency, assemble a p...
The Truth About Vinyasa Yoga
When used for personal health maintenance, Vinyasa Yoga is the ultimate cross training system, with low impact movement, aerobic, and muscle toning benefits. Y...
Leadership For Deep Results: Without Them Are You Wasting Your Leadership And Your Life? (Part Two)
The author asserts there are two kinds of results leaders achieve, standard results and deep results. All leaders know what standard results are, but few leade...
Chicken Compared To Chicken Meal
When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why is it better to go with the chicken meal than the pure chicken? Chicken meal is simply chicken that has been...
Trapped and Want Out?
Are you stuck in the employment trap and want out? Well, there is good news. Anyone can become a business person and own a business. Do not sit around waiting f...
A New School Year
When you think of a new School Year what are your first thoughts? There can often be lots of anxiety with a new school year for parents as well as children. R...
Sales Recruiting - How to Hire More Top Sales Performers - Part 2
Poor sales performance often results from relying too heavily on SUBJECTIVE information when hiring and managing salespeople. Adding OBJECTIVE information (gath...
How to Beat Roulette with A Simple 3 Point System
Many players try to beat roulette by buying a "sure fire" roulette system for money. These systems promise consistent gains and to make the buyer rich and beat ...
Using Free Publicity to Build Your Web Site Links and Traffic
So, you have a great product or service, yet your web site is not getting the high rankings and traffic you desire from the top search engines like Google and M...
Giving Finances a Breather Through Loans for Unemployed
The unemployment allowance is deficient in meeting the various expenses of the unemployed borrowers. This explains the need for loan for unemployed. The amount ...
Two Step Marketing - An Old Idea Come Full Circle
Even with the advent of Internet marketing technology, the underlying concept of two-step marketing has changed little.
Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee
Pain behind the knee is something many of us have or might experience if we play sports that involve bending at the knees, running, tennis, or any activity that...
Federal Trade Commission Will Not Monitor MLM Companies
Having been to every city in the country over the population of 10,000 in the last four years I have been noticing a trend. I have seen Multi-Level Marketing fo...
How To Use Pay Per Click Ads Without Ruining Yourself
How to use pay per click advertising the cheapest way. And how to get the most targeted visitors.
Travolta's Law Of Management
Take the advice of one of Hollywood's superstars and see your business or management disasters in a different light.
Seven Red Hot Tips for Linking
Whether your planning a link campaign or looking after your own web site link building has always been one of the most important aspects of web site promotion a...
Shopping Tips: What to Look for When Shopping for Tops
When you are shopping for tops it is important to keep in mind the style of tops and how that style will look on you. Will it make you look larger, slimmer, pa...
Occupational Stress
How downsizing has helped to create more stress in the workplace.
Using Credit Cards Wisely
Using credit wisely is a good habit that, with only a little financial education, you can learn quickly.
Interest Only Home Loan – Is It Right For You?
Are you considering getting an interest only home loan? Interest only mortgages are becoming very popular. There are many benefits to having an interest only ...
|
Print this page