7 Tips to Choosing a Legitimate Contractor

Finding a good contractor – one that you can trust to keep your best interests in mind – is incredibly important no matter the home repair project. Choosing the wrong contractor may even end up costing you more than money in the end, it can lead to delayed completion of projects, poor workmanship and even legal problems.

So, how can homeowners and building owners work to choose a legitimate contractor? We have a few tips from the Denver District Attorney that may help:

  1. Tip 1: BEWARE of contractors who use high-pressure or scare tactics to get you to make an immediate decision.
  2. Tip 2: DON’T do business with someone who comes to your door offering a deal because they say they have materials left over from another job.
  3. Tip 3: Ask for and verify the contractor’s license number (you can confirm with your city or county’s building department where the home or building resides that the license number was issued by them and is current).
  4. Tip 4: Get at least 3 written bids. DON’T always choose the lowest bidder – almost all complaints to the DA’s office are contractors with very low bids.
  5. Tip 5: Require the contractor to use a written contract that lists materials to be used, as well as charges and costs, and the completion date.
  6. Tip 6: Pay little or nothing in advance. Pay only the cost of materials as outlined in the contract in advance, then pay the balance only when you are satisfied, and the job has been approved by a building inspector.
  7. Tip 7: Ask the contractor to show you proof that he is bonded, carries liability insurance, and covers his workers with workers compensation insurance.

Information provided by:

Denver District Attorney
Fraud Hot Line 720-913-9179
Website: www.denverda.org