When selecting whether or not to choose a certain general contractor in Los Angeles, there are several warning signs to look out for, just as there would be when considering any other service provider. It would help if you verified that the individual you hire is qualified in licensing, insurance, and knowledge of local and national construction regulations. Keep your guard up if they attempt to force you to sign a contract on the spot or if they appear too eager to take over your task. You should seek elsewhere if they don’t know much about the materials you’ve selected or if they’re too focused on the price of the job. Likewise, you should avoid doing business with them if they attempt to force you to do anything that makes you feel uneasy.
Rather than rushing into anything to regret it afterward, taking your time and locating someone you can trust is the way to go. When determining whether or not to hire a general contractor in Los Angeles, there are a few warning signs you may look out for. It may be time to bite the bullet and call in a professional if the expense of repairing the damaged windows, doors, or plumbing exceeds the cost of getting someone else to do it. Here are common red flags to watch out for when hiring a general contractor in Los Angeles:
They Don’t Show Up On Time or At All
Amid a home remodeling job, the last thing you need is an unreliable general contractor in Los Angeles. To make matters worse, it’s common for contractors to flake out and not show up at all for scheduled work. It’s an emergency whether they forget or actively avoid your calls.
Don’t believe excuses like “traffic” or “work ran late” if this has occurred to you or if you know a contractor who often fails to show up when he should (especially if this is a recurring problem). Find out if this is a pattern of conduct and what you could do instead, like contacting their former clients and references to make sure. You might also talk to other individuals you know who work in the industry to discover if they have had any problems getting this general contractor in Los Angeles on the project, on time, and so on. Refrain from assuming anything about a contractor’s unreliability; get to the bottom before taking action.
They Don’t Have a License and Insurance
In a city as regulated as Los Angeles, it should be simple to determine whether a company is authorized to operate legally. I’m afraid that’s not the case. Be wary of choosing a contractor since many lack proper licensing and will take your money and go.
This may seem straightforward at first glance; nevertheless, there are several reasons why a license may only be apparent after some time. Some general contractors have been working for years without obtaining a license. And yet, professions like painting and laying flooring don’t call for a license. You may employ them without worrying about whether or not they have the proper licensing as long as they won’t be working on electrical or plumbing systems.
If they do not have insurance that covers accidents on the job, that’s another red flag. Workers’ compensation insurance is the minimum standard in certain jurisdictions that covers workers in the event of an on-the-job accident. If they don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay for any injuries on your property, and you might be held liable for engaging an uninsured contractor in the first place.
General Contractor Los Angeles That Don’t Have References
Only employ a general contractor in Los Angeles after verifying their past work and reputation. It would help if you didn’t make any final decisions on a firm until you’ve seen examples of their prior customers’ work and are satisfied with the quality. Yet some businesses could be too swamped to answer your request for references, so if that’s the case, you’ll have to do some legwork and verify their legitimacy on your own. It’s never been simpler to do this type of investigation online; the internet is full of consumer-friendly sites that provide a wealth of information on spotting red flags, such as reviews on Yelp!
You should check internet evaluations or reviews and testimonials of a business, but you should also contact at least three of their previous clients to confirm their reliability and experience. One or two people on each list may still have an old email address or remain with the firm, so it’s worth reaching out to at least one. Inquire from these individuals as to their experiences with the contractor and if they would use them again.
To that end, JP Builders & Development is committed to becoming the most trusted licensed general contractor in Los Angeles. We welcome the opportunity to work with clients like you to realize your visions. Whether you need a residential or commercial structure constructed, our professional team can get the job done. Explore our company’s background and portfolio online, or give us a call to learn more about why we are one of the most in-demand Southern California custom home builders.