What to watch out for 

Unfortunately, some contractors may use unethical or "bad tactics" to make more money, sometimes at the expense of homeowners. Here are some common tactics that unscrupulous contractors might employ:

1. Underestimating the Project Cost

• Low Initial Estimate: Contractors may provide an initial low estimate to win the job, but later introduce significant cost increases once work begins. They may claim unforeseen issues or changes in material prices to justify the higher costs.

• “Change Orders” or “Scope Creep”: After starting the project, they may introduce additional costs for changes or "upgrades" that were not originally included. This can lead to unexpected and substantial price hikes.

2. Low-Balling on Labor or Materials Quality

• Using Substandard Materials: To save on costs, a contractor may use lower-quality materials or products than initially promised, while still charging the homeowner for higher-quality options.

• Underqualified Labor: Contractors might hire cheap, inexperienced labor to save money, which can compromise the quality of the work and the project’s long-term durability.

3. Deliberate Delays and Time Manipulation

• Unnecessary Delays: Contractors might intentionally drag out the timeline of a project to increase their profits by keeping workers on-site longer or charging for more days than originally agreed.

• Over-Promising Timeline: A contractor may promise an unrealistically quick turnaround to secure the job, then slow down work once the project is underway, causing frustration and increased costs.

4. Low Initial Payment Demands

• Requesting Large Upfront Payments: Some contractors may demand a large percentage of the payment upfront, leaving the homeowner vulnerable if the contractor doesn’t finish the job or does subpar work. Reputable contractors usually ask for a reasonable deposit (e.g., 10-30%) but not the full amount.

• Failure to Complete Work After Payment: Some contractors take the deposit, start the work, and then abandon the job midway, demanding more money to complete the project.

5. Bait-and-Switch Tactics

• Switching Materials or Subcontractors: A contractor may start with high-end materials or skilled workers but later switch to cheaper options without notifying the client, delivering inferior results.

• Misleading Promotions: They may advertise a discount or special deal but later claim that the offer no longer applies or that the client needs to pay more to get what they thought was promised.

6. No Written Contract

• Lack of Formal Agreement: Some contractors may push for verbal agreements rather than written contracts to avoid legal accountability and make it easier for them to change the terms later.

• Vague or Incomplete Contracts: If a contract is not clear or comprehensive, it can allow a contractor to make changes to the project scope or terms at their discretion, leading to extra charges for the homeowner.

7. Using Pressure Tactics

• High-Pressure Sales: Contractors may pressure homeowners into making quick decisions without fully understanding the scope of the project or costs. For example, they might claim they have a limited-time offer or imply that the work must be done immediately.

• Threatening to Walk Away: If a homeowner hesitates, a contractor might threaten to leave or discontinue the project to induce pressure, making it harder for the homeowner to make an informed decision.

8. Claiming Non-Existent Problems

• Overstating Issues: Some contractors may exaggerate or fabricate problems with the property to justify additional work, such as claiming structural issues or hidden damages that require repairs and additional charges.

• Recommending Unnecessary Upgrades: Contractors might suggest expensive upgrades or services that aren’t needed, such as fancy fixtures or more complex solutions that don’t improve the outcome.

9. Not Securing Permits

• Skipping Permits or Inspections: A dishonest contractor might skip the necessary permits or inspections required by law to save time and money. This can lead to legal issues, fines, and potentially unsafe conditions in the future.

10. Intentionally Poor Workmanship

• Shoddy Work to Cut Costs: Some contractors may do substandard work or leave problems unaddressed because they know the homeowner won’t notice immediately. This can result in long-term issues, additional repairs, and higher costs for the homeowner.

• Incomplete Work: A contractor might intentionally leave small parts of the job unfinished to avoid paying workers to complete it, knowing that the homeowner may not notice right away.

11. Manipulating Insurance Claims

• Fraudulent Insurance Claims: Some contractors may encourage clients to file false or inflated claims for damages, leading to larger payouts that benefit the contractor, not the homeowner. This is illegal and unethical.

12. Failure to Follow Codes and Regulations

• Cutting Corners: In an attempt to save time or money, a contractor might not follow local building codes or regulations, which can lead to unsafe structures or problems during future inspections.