Avoiding Problem Contractors

Putting your home in someone else's hands, whether for a remodel or a new build, is an exercise in trust. A little research before you sign anything is the difference between a dream project and a nightmare.

You're trusting a contractor to honor the price in your contract, finish in a reasonable time and communicate openly along the way. Most contractors try to do exactly that. But we've all heard the stories: a low price that turned out to be too good to be true, a contractor who stopped returning calls or a family left with an unfinished space for months.

Here are five warning signs to look for when hiring a general contractor, and how taking these steps up front leads to a calmer, more enjoyable project.

1. Vague estimates

Landing on a firm price, and not leaving yourself open to surprises, is how you avoid a financial panic mid-project. Ask how the contractor builds your estimate.

Our fixed price vs. cost-plus guide explains why the way a price is built matters as much as the number itself.

2. No scheduling system

A reputable contractor uses a scheduling system they can share with you from the beginning. Even better is one you can follow along with yourself. Today, an app on your phone can show you who is working on what on any given day, so you're never left in the dark.

That visibility is what gives you confidence your project will wrap up when expected. Too many projects start with a promised finish date, only for the homeowner to end up practically begging the contractor to get a crew on-site.

We've heard from homeowners whose small bathroom remodel ran many months past what they were promised. Another family's new build took years longer than planned. Yet another had their entire kitchen gutted before the contractor went out of business and disappeared. Stories like these are a big reason people put off remodeling, and understanding how your contractor handles scheduling is how you avoid becoming one of them.

3. Lack of a consistent team

Working with subcontractors is common in building and remodeling. What you want to know before hiring is that your contractor works with a consistent group of trades they trust, so you can trust them too. That consistency is what lets a contractor stand behind a schedule and a price.

One family we know was building with a company that kept switching subcontractors on the same job. One crew started the siding, quit mid-job and another company picked up where they left off. You could clearly see where one stopped and the other started. A third crew had to tear it all off and start over, adding a significant delay, all because the builder was chasing the cheapest subs instead of a trusted team.

Who your contractor trusts with their projects says a lot about the contractor.

4. No change order plan

From day one, you should understand how your contractor handles change orders: how changes are raised, how they're logged and how they're signed off. Knowing this process keeps your budget on track and prevents big surprises at the end. A contractor with no clear change order process is a major red flag.

One client building their first home signed a contract that included several "best guess" allowances. Changes were made along the way, but not one change order was written and they were never told about a single price change. The day before closing, the builder called to say the project had gone far over budget and asked whether they'd roll it into the mortgage or pay cash. They were able to negotiate their way out, but it left them never wanting to build again. With a real change order process, they could have made informed decisions as they went.

5. Difficult to communicate with

Contractors are busy, and you won't be their only project. Still, there should be a simple way to reach them with any question, and you should never be made to feel like a nuisance for asking about your own home.

However it works, make sure you're on the same page. And if it's hard to reach your contractor during the estimating process, treat that as a major red flag.

How we work at The Home Authority, Inc.

We built our process around avoiding these exact problems. Our Studio A designers plan your project with you first, and design is included with every remodel. Once your design is complete, you get one fixed price, so you know your number before work begins. Throughout the project, you can follow your schedule, selections and messages in the Buildertrend online project portal. We're family-owned since 1996 and licensed and insured in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Hiring a contractor FAQs

What's the biggest red flag when hiring a contractor?

A price that isn't backed by real detail. Vague estimates, no change order process and slow communication during the bid stage usually signal bigger problems later.

How should a contractor handle changes during a project?

Every change should be documented, priced and approved by you before the work happens, so you always know where your budget stands.

Can I track my project's progress?

With us, yes. Clients follow along in the Buildertrend online project portal.

Does design cost extra?

No. Studio A design is included with every remodel we build.

Keep planning

• Contractor red flags →
• Fixed price vs. cost-plus remodeling →
• Top 5 remodeling mistakes →
• About The Home Authority, Inc. →