4 Red Flags & 4 Green Flags When Choosing A Contractor

The horror stories I hear, day in and day out, from people who have selected the wrong contractor make this a big discussion topic in my circle!! I completely understand how unbelievably nerve-wracking this can be. I truly do!! Keep in mind, I’m a homeowner myself; I totally get how hard selecting a contractor can be.

Spoiler alert: I’ve already done the hard work for you! I’ve gathered tips that I use myself, not only in vetting our own subcontractors, but also in hiring new contractors for my own home projects. So, if you’re looking for a full-service interior design and construction company that will hold your hand every step of the way, Lambert Home is here for you. We love our subcontractors and use them in our own projects! However, if you aren’t ready to take that step, or if you're looking for a competitive bid, I want to help you make the smartest decision possible!

Let’s be real, your contractor can truly make or break your project, your budget, your peace of mind, and your experience as a whole. It’s extremely important to pick the right one for you!! Don’t waste your time and hard-earned money. Let’s dig in, and together, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of!!!

4 Red Flags For Your Home Contractor

1. Has the contractor recently changed their business name?

In this crazy world of construction, if someone is changing their business name every few years, it indicates something fishy may be going on. Either they’re not paying their taxes, they’re filing bankruptcy, or they’re in legal trouble and they’re having to split their entities to protect their assets. Yikes!! In any case, you don’t want any part of it. You want to ask their legal entity name and how long that entity has been established. Do your best to do your due diligence here… trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

2. Is the contractor bidding unusually low?

I’ve seen this too many times, and it’s always the same bait-and-switch tactic! A smooth-talker comes in with great pricing promising the world for half the cost. RUN FOR THE HILLS! You can think of construction pricing just like hamburger pricing. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to Wendy’s, Whataburger, or McDonald’s; the pricing is all about the same when you get right down to it. It’s really about preferences at that point. However, if anyone is selling a burger on the street for $0.50, you’d really question what on earth you’re getting!!

The same can be said of construction. Generally speaking, if you’re comparing apples to apples, pricing will be comparable across the board. So if you’re interviewing a contractor and the pricing is unbelievably low, DON'T believe them!

3. Is the contractor ready to start demo tomorrow?

This is soooo wrong!! Listen, I know you want to start your project! I know you’re ready to get things going! This is so exciting! But if someone’s schedule is so open that they can get folks out TOMORROW?? This is a TERRIBLE sign! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this. And in fact, it’s actually a strategy of some contractors. The strategy is to come in and demo your home as soon as they can, because then you’re committed to finishing the project with them. If the project could’ve been a 6-week job with precision scheduling, now they’ve come in, demoed before any planning, and your 6-week job has turned into a 6-month job. This is your home we’re talking about! The place where you are supposed to find rest, joy, and relaxation. Instead, you’ll be facing remodel headache for months on end - it’s not worth it! And in reality someone who’s going to trap you in a project like that is not somebody you want to work with anyway.

4. Is your contractor rushing through your home renovation?

If your contractor shows any sign of rush this is not a good pairing. Just remember: if they rush through design, rush through a meeting, rush through a red light, then they’ll rush through EVERYTHING! That means they’ll rush through framing, electrical, plumbing, paint, final review, everything, and you’re left with a rush job creating potential hazards and likely not finished out with the precision you deserve. Not to mention, can you imagine a more stressful experience?! It simply doesn’t have to be that way!

4 Green Flags For Your Home Contractor

1. Has the contractor worked with the same subcontractors forever?

The best way to know if you’ve got a trustworthy contractor is if they’re working with the same subcontractors on every job. Subcontractors specialize in different trades, like electrical, plumbing, painting, etc. Every general contractor has subs that they work with, and it’s important to know how long they’ve worked with each of their subs.

Again, anyone can Google “painter near me” or “plumbing company in my town” and roll the dice to see if they know what they’re doing. However, a good contractor has spent years building trusting relationships with talented subs. They’ve vetted these folks for years so you KNOW you’re getting the best of the best. Also, from a logical standpoint, if a contractor is still working with the same subs that means the subs are talented, timely, and trustworthy. Further, if the subs still work with the contractor, that means the contractor pays on time, is organized, and takes care of their subs. It’s a symbiotic relationship that ultimately benefits you!

2. Is the contractor earning your trust and making you feel comfortable?

There’s something to be said about the value of human connection! Have you ever sat across from a doctor as they’re suggesting a procedure and asked, “But tell me, would you give this same advice to your child?? Your partner?!” Sometimes that’s how it feels with a contractor, too. Like, can I really trust you? Will you treat me like you treat your kids? Will you take care of my home, my safe place, my investment, like it’s your own? If you know they’re going to take care of you, that’s a go!

3. Are you receiving a firm timeline and a firm budget from your contractor?

This may seem obvious, but your contractor should absolutely give you a firm timeline with a firm budget! And I don’t mean “it’ll be about $10,000 and it’ll take about 3 weeks.” No. That’s amateur. You should be receiving a solid calendar with subs lined out, already scheduled, a truly confirmed timeline, and a direct invoice that includes details about your scope of work and design selections. There should really be no open questions at contract-signing because you deserve to feel confident in who you’re trusting with your space!

4. Is the contractor agreeing to keep your home clean and tidy every day?

This is such a deal-breaker for me! You want to talk about HORROR STORIES, I have heard literal NIGHTMARES that I couldn’t even share here. This is truly unbelievable to me!! Your home should be treated with the utmost respect and care, even in the middle of a remodel. This means no dangerous materials left out, no chip bags and no Coke cans anywhere on your property. Every space should be left tidy!

Finding Your Perfect Contractor

We talk a lot about the final product of home transformations but the journey along the way is just as important! Ultimately, construction doesn’t have to be such an overwhelming, stress-filled ordeal so look for these green flags to find the perfect fit for you - because you deserve it!

You could totally use those tips and hunt for your own contractor, but let’s be honest, that’s a lot to manage when life’s coming at you fast! If you’re ready to skip this step look no further. We have the expertise and the relationships to ensure your project is completed exactly how you want. To top it off, our precise scheduling guarantees that we’re in and out of your home as efficiently as possible… without compromising on quality! You won’t believe how easy and fun a Lambert Home remodel can be! Request a free consultation below and let us help you create the home you’ve always dreamt of!