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Red flags to look out for when hiring a general contractor?

home improvementrenovationcontractors
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Borislav_W
Joined:
23.04.2022
Posts: 2079
Topic Starter
06.01.2025 06:59
I'm planning a pretty extensive kitchen remodel and I'm honestly terrified of ending up with a nightmare contractor. I've heard so many horror stories about people who take a huge deposit and then disappear or just do sloppy work. What are some specific warning signs that I should run the other way during the initial interview or quote process? Are there certain payment schedules that are definitely a scam, or specific things they say that should set off alarm bells?
20 replies in this topic
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anonimen_bg
Joined:
29.08.2024
Posts: 1102
26.03.2025 08:21
If they ask for more than 10% or $1,000 upfront, run. That's a huge red flag.
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tech_geek_bg
Joined:
23.05.2024
Posts: 2353
01.04.2025 00:12
In reply to a previous post
Exactly this. My contractor only took money after specific milestones were completed and inspected.
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Yani_Z
Joined:
26.08.2024
Posts: 2492
27.04.2025 08:32
Watch out for anyone who doesn't have a physical office address or a legitimate contractor's license number they can provide immediately.
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Maya_L
Joined:
29.10.2020
Posts: 760
30.04.2025 02:20
In reply to a previous post
Also, ask to see their insurance certificate. If they get dodgy about showing it, walk away.
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Oskar_Z
Joined:
29.07.2024
Posts: 421
02.05.2025 15:36
If the quote is significantly lower than everyone else's, it's usually because they're cutting corners or planning to hit you with 'change orders' later.
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Goshko_Bolo
Joined:
17.04.2024
Posts: 1055
05.05.2025 08:50
In reply to a previous post
This is the 'lowball' trap. You'll end up paying double by the time it's finished.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
15.06.2024
Posts: 1472
06.05.2025 22:57
Do they drive a branded truck? It sounds silly, but guys who don't have enough pride to put their name on their vehicle are often fly-by-night operations.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
13.06.2020
Posts: 1872
03.06.2025 20:17
In reply to a previous post
I disagree, some of the best tradesmen I know drive beat-up personal trucks because they spend their money on tools, not decals.
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Znaesht
Joined:
23.11.2024
Posts: 2117
16.08.2025 11:04
Trust your gut. If they seem annoyed by your questions or make you feel like you're being a nuisance, find someone else.
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Yana_P
Joined:
20.09.2023
Posts: 1409
07.09.2025 10:35
In reply to a previous post
Agreed. Communication is key. If they don't respond to texts or calls during the bidding phase, it's only going to get worse once they have your money.
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damian_varna
Joined:
02.05.2025
Posts: 157
22.09.2025 17:36
Ask them for three references from the last six months. If they can't provide that, they haven't been working lately.
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Oli_L
Joined:
15.08.2021
Posts: 951
02.10.2025 22:19
In reply to a previous post
Make sure you actually call those references too! People rarely check, but I've caught a fake reference that way.
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Hubo_K
Joined:
20.11.2021
Posts: 2186
22.11.2025 13:34
Anyone who insists on being paid exclusively in cash is a massive red flag. Always use a check or credit card for a paper trail.
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Denis_P
Joined:
20.08.2025
Posts: 1631
09.12.2025 00:19
In reply to a previous post
Definitely. If there's no paper trail, you have zero recourse if they mess up your kitchen.
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Yavor_K
Joined:
11.08.2024
Posts: 608
30.12.2025 08:36
If they show up late to your initial estimate meeting, it shows a lack of respect for your time. It’s a bad sign of how the project will go.
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robert_d
Joined:
03.01.2024
Posts: 1980
15.01.2026 15:30
In reply to a previous post
Spot on. Professionalism during the quote is usually how they treat the job itself.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
20.08.2021
Posts: 532
21.01.2026 07:57
Ask them who will be in your house. If they say 'a crew' but can't tell you who the lead carpenter is, stay away.
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Roman_88
Joined:
10.05.2024
Posts: 1777
08.03.2026 00:53
In reply to a previous post
Exactly. You want to know if they're using subcontractors or their own employees.
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radek_sofia
Joined:
29.11.2020
Posts: 1103
09.04.2026 10:30
Check their Google reviews, but look for the 3-star ones. The 5-star ones can be fake, but the 3-star ones usually tell the real story about communication issues.
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Roman_88
Joined:
01.04.2025
Posts: 29
11.04.2026 10:32
In reply to a previous post
That's a pro tip. I always read the middle-of-the-road reviews first.

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