Any construction and remodeling projects are based on faith. You have no choice but to entrust everything to professionals, after all. This problem is that many contractors are out there just to rip people off. The British have a name for them: cowboy builders.
Cowboy builders do not operate like reputable design build contractors. These scammers have mysterious backgrounds, do haphazard work on purpose and have no regard for safety and health.
Fort Bend Builders admits that there is no way to completely avoid an encounter with such a contractor. But the trick is to detect a scam early on in the process. Look out for the following to detect a cowboy builder immediately:
Making an Unsolicited Project Proposal
When someone shows up at your door unannounced to offer you remodeling work, reply with a firm no. The customer should reach out to the contractor and not the other way around. Even if you happen to need to do a kitchen remodel or have a different project in mind, do not entertain such a proposal. Do your own research, and use a contractor with strong, verifiable credentials.
Offering a Temptingly Low Estimate
Bidding extremely low is one of the oldest tricks of cowboy builders. The inviting estimate could be a bait, a trap to lowball you. Or, the quote could be accurate because it might reflect the true price of substandard materials. You receive what you pay so be careful choosing the lowest bidder.
Asking for a Large Payment Up Front
Being asked to pay an advance payment is common practice, for many professionals require earnest money to get things started. However, every honest whole home remodel contractor will tell you that paying a large sum before the project even begins is a sin. If a cowboy builder decides to stop coming to work or answering your calls, you may never get your money back.
At Fort Bend Builders, our rich history of excellence in the construction business speaks volumes about our skill and integrity. Call us at (713) 714-1343 now to schedule your consultation in Katy, TX, and set your project in motion.
