SPRINGFIELD TWP., Ohio -- Last year, Bill Buresch of Finenytown gave money to a contractor to re-do his kitchen. But the handyman took the money and ran.
"Gave me this big, long sob story about how the owner had a heart attack, and he wanted the third installment upfront," Buresch said.
So how do you avoid hiring a bad contractor?
Our partners at Angie's List say there are three mistakes many people make.
Mistake No. 1: Hiring without fully researching a contractor.
"I hate to hear bad contractor stories, because I hear so many good ones!" Angie's List founder Angie Hicks said. "What is important for consumers to remember is once they pick their contractor, take the time to outline all the details of their project because it can be time very well spent."
Hicks says do a web search on Google for complaints against your contractor.
That leads to mistake No. 2...
Mistake No. 2: Giving a contractor too much money upfront.
That means there's no incentive to finish the job.
"I can't tell you how many times -- not only in the painting industry, but in the carpentry industry, the roofing industry -- I have heard of homeowners paying a gentleman 50 percent down before the job begins and they do not come back to do the job," professional painter Todd Cartmel said.
Angie's List and the Better Business Bureau say to protect yourself, pay a third up front, a third midway through the project, and the rest when the job is done.
Mistake No. 3: Not checking if the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
If they're injured on the job, you don't want to get sued!
So that way, you don't waste your money.
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