HONOLULU (KHON2) — The start of the school year has many trading pool days for school days. Many homeowners are now shifting their attention to maintenance and repair projects that have been put off during vacation season.
The Better Business Bureau has some quick tips on when and how to find contractors you can trust.
Cameron Nakashima from the BBB says watch for these big red flags:
- A bid that is much lower than everyone else’s: Low offers can signal corner-cutting or misunderstandings.
- Refusal to provide proof of license and insurance: Make sure to always verify qualifications, and call the carrier if needed.
- No written estimate or contract: Get every detail in writing, such as the scope, schedule, payment plan, permits and warranties.
Nakashima says there are lots of ways to get started. You can try using a pro-finder tool on the National Association of Home Builders or the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.
You can also reach out to any of the contractors you have worked with in the past, even if you know they are all booked out, and ask them if there is anyone in their network they trust and recommend for your project.
Before you hire, do your homework on the business or contractor – you can look them up on BBB.org to see verified reviews, complaint history, BBB ratings and other important information about the business that can help you make smarter decisions about who you trust with your project.
Once you’ve built your short list and done your research on each business, get at least three apples-to-apples quotes and ask each contractor for recent local references, Nakashima said. BBB’s free “Get a Quote” tool can make gathering bids even easier.