The biggest mistakes when hiring a contractor and 5 tips to hire the right one

Sean King is the Best Selling Author of “The Ultimate Guide To Hiring The Right Contractor” and a 3rd generation home improvement expert. He is here to help us avoid making the 3 biggest mistakes when it comes to hiring a contractor.

[DaruDhillon]

Good points. I would also suggest you hire licensed and insured contractors only. I also need to see visual proof of their work. Everyone has a different definition of quality.

[hocoasandiego]

Great job! Valid points and every home owner should do

[WatchLiveForexTrades]

If only I'd seen this 5 months ago...

[karenkramer]

Great video. But I would recommend letting homeowners directly buy the materials

[KingDC]

As a contractor I have always taking 50% downpayment from the government, commercial, and residential. I will never fund somebody's dream. Self funding contracts is a sure way to go out of business if something goes wrong. No self respecting contractor will accept 100% the financial risk.

[jonathanpope]

When I do a kitchen remodel there is no way I will pay for the cost of materials that are going directly to homeowner. Contractors need to vet clients just as clients need to vet contractors. If a homeowner is not willing to put down the money for their custom hickory cabinets then run fast. If a customer is unhappy with the wood grain or something trivial but aesthetic it is important they are invested in the project or you will loose money from nuances and customers that don't know what they want.

[steveatx]

If they have insurance then they can provide a proof and you should call insurance company to verify it is in force. They should also show all payments for materials and subcontractors, before final payment. If they are not paid materials and subcontractors, they can put a lien on your house, and you will end up paying twice.

[charlesg]

The two things I do agree with him completely on though, is that you should always hire a licensed contractor, and also, if the workers are doing anything that you don’t like or if there’s any problems with the quality or timeline that you don’t like, you should speak up immediately. I agree with them there. We have very few jobsite concerns/issues each year, but they pretty much all stem from customers not telling us their concerns immediately. When customers don’t tell us stuff immediately, it can turn into a bigger issue. Always speak up, for the benefit of both yourself and the contractor

[lovewinter]

wn. I wound up getting scammed. He also was not licensed or insured. Project not finished

[marcarriaga]

Dint know how many contracors will pay 100% of the material an cost

[pootandbeans]

I would buy the supplies and then give them 50% upon completion of half the project and the rest when they finish the project.

[LC]

I am kicking myself. I wish I had listened to this program.

[bonsummers]

10% down, or 1K, whichever is less, then stage payments per completed work. Standard proper.

[mirzapa]

Where is Gillian Barberie these days??

[thegalacticpatriot]

So I’m addition to wanting your project done cheaply and quickly as possible, you think the contractor should also be funding your project?! Nuts..

[justincrasi]

if the project costs $200k, you expect to withhold $100k until it's complete... highly unlikely you'll even find a contractor. that's crazy

[buk]

This guy must charge $$$$. I guarantee 99% of households can't afford him.

[tiarrab.]

Loved the tips!!!! I love that this video focuses on hiring a contractor specifically!

[emmanuelzermeno]

Nope. They need to pay some upfront. Ive seen many contractors get ripped off and not get paid for their hard work

[jcannon]

This guy is a troll what about the protection of the contractor. who pays 100 percent of the job up front. I definitely agree that is ridiculous and not a good idea but I wouldn’t expect anyone to do a job and not put any money down that makes no sense what if the job is in the tens or hundreds of thousands or something I understand with a commercial work because you are dealing with a reputable brand (hopefully) but some joe smoe home owner naw to much a risk