Drop Ceilings Birmingham AL: Protect Yourself from Bad Contractors

At least once a week, if not more often, we receive a call to repair a ceiling that was installed incorrectly.

At first glance, installing ceiling tiles can look simple. However, after hiring an inexperienced contractor, you'll soon find out that it's more complicated than you once first thought.

Additionally, we get the occasional call from someone who hired someone to install a ceiling and they abandoned the job or just ripped them off completely...

Remember, your home is often your largest investment.

It's very important to be cautious who you entrust with your home.

One factor that should never lead your decision over who you hire is the cost alone. We understand budget is always a factor but never let it solely determine who you hire – we find this leads most people to find trouble.

We're going to share a few check off points with you. If you follow this outline when hiring a contractor for your home, we promise you'll greatly decrease your chances of things going wrong.

Check References

Always ask for the last three jobs they've completed, especially if they want a deposit up front.

Call their past customers and see how they did on their job. Many times people will ask for the references but they don’t actually call them.

Just so you know, contractors expect people to ask for this, but not to follow through. As a result, they may give you false references. 

Bottom line – follow through, check the references.

Everything in Writing

A contract should clearly delineate all work to be performed and all associated costs which include materials and cost. Never sign a blank contract or one with blank spaces.

Any guarantees made by the contractor should be written into the contract. The guarantee should clearly state what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee,and how long the guarantee is valid.

Never Use Cash for Payment

Always avoid on-the-spot cash payments. The absolute safest route is to write a check to the contracting company.

When Contractors Ask for Upfront Payments

Every contractor has different business practices.

As an example, Birmingham Ceilings & Walls never asks for any kind of payment upfront. The reason being, we're well-capitalized. We've never done it and never will. It’s just not apart of our business practice. Our customers pay us once the job meets their satisfaction and is completely finished.

That's not to say you shouldn't ever do business with a contractor who asks for an upfront payment as part of their own individual practices.

A reasonable down payment of 50% of the total cost of the project, with the remainder to be paid upon initial delivery of materials, is a normal practice of many contractors.

Once again, just make sure to call their references before you make them an upfront payment.

Furthermore, don’t pay in cash. Without a paper trail you have no proof of your transactions if things go wrong.

Proof of Insurance and License

This is a big one.

You'll know a professional when they're properly insured. If you hire someone without proper documentation just because they have a toolbox and a truck, you're taking a great risk.

Make sure the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If the contractor isn't insured, the homeowner may be liable for accidents that occur on the property.

Not to mention if the work doesn’t go well or damage occurs, you could be left holding the bag.

Final Payments

Do not sign completion papers, or make the final payment, until the work is completed to your satisfaction.

A reputable contractor will not threaten you or pressure you to sign if the job isn't finished properly.

Cheap Bids

Another big one! 

If the price you were just quoted on your kitchen remodel sounds too good to be true, trust us when we say – it is!

It also goes without saying, trust your gut instinct instead of listening to your wallet.

Internet Presence is a MUST

This, for us, is one of the largest check off points. 

This one factor here, when followed, can save you from a construction project going terribly wrong or save you from being ripped off.

Never EVER hire anyone that does not have a social imprint or online presence. The reason being, there is no consequence to receiving a bad online review.

You always want to hire a company that gets good reviews for two reasons:

1. You'll know they do a great job and care about their online reputation.

2. You'll know they have a reputation to protect and it’s important to them, which means it's one more layer of job responsibility they will do for you.

So, before you choose a contractor, simply go to Google and type in their name or business's name.

Look for any feedback whatsoever. Also go to Facebook and do the same exact thing.

If you find any negative feedback, consider this when making your decision: If you still go forward anyway and things go badly – regret is a terrible and expensive pill to swallow.

Consider More Than Price Alone

Many times we'll hear from people who have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to hiring contractors.

However, after hearing their story, it's very apparent they could've avoided their bad experience altogether if they had only been more careful and considered other factors outside of the price alone.

Use all of these rules the next time you hire someone to do work in your home and we assure you that it will lessen your chances of having a terrible experience.