Warning Signs When Hiring a Sliding Contractor…

Sliding contractors are responsible for fitting and installing sliding doors and windows. It is a big responsibility, so you want to make sure that they are up to the task before hiring. To weed out incompetent contractors, you need to be familiar with the warning signs to look out for. Identifying these signs will help keep you safe from scams and low-quality work.

• Watch out for contractors that don’t put ample thought into the quotes they provide. A skilled contractor will take in a variety of detailsand give you a formal proposal for the work to be completed. Be wary of anyone who quotes you within five minutes of entering your home without serious consideration to the scope. Chances are, they have no intention of completing the work so they don’t need to carefully consider what it will cost.

• Beware of contractors with no permanent address, as any reputable contractor should have one. If a contractor is slow to provide their credentials, it is often because their credentials are not valid, and they are probably not licensed or insured either.

• Be careful of contractors that attempt to sell you on additional renovations. A contractor that educates you on work that needs to be done or the implications of leaving repairs to a later time is simply doing a good job. You’ll then be able to do your own research and see if it is the right time for you to have additional work completed. However, anyone who tries to sell you on additional services just for the sake of it, is manipulating you. That is not a good way to start a business relationship and doesn’t bode well for their quality of work.

• Don’t trust contractors that can’t provide you with testimonials and references from previously completed projects. The number of references they provide should reflect their experience. For example, if a contractor claims to have been in business for ten years but can only provide two references, they’re probably not being truthful.

• If a contractor lacks tenable proof of insurance, including workers compensation insurance, do not hire them. Lack of insurance leaves you open to liability for any expenses incurred as a result of a worker’s injury sustained at your home. Protect yourself by requesting and verifying active insurance policies.

• Be wary of contractors that demand large payments before the job is completed. While a deposit prior to the start of a project is standard and is typically used for materials to get the job done, it should not exceed 20-40% of the total bill.

It’s important to know what factors define competence in the world of sliding contractors. These warning signs, when followed, will save you from getting into business with an incompetent contractor that will leave behind substandard quality work. Go for the best, and don’t hire anyone that has red flags.