A contractor can be your source of anxiety and stress if you are not careful when hiring them. A pal of mine by the name of Austin Sims once shared with me that with his 30+yrs experience in the business world, that your contractor can be your greatest resource when you take time to hire the right professional. Just like there are things you should talk about with your contractor, there are things you should never say to your contractor.
Here are some of the things to never tell a contractor:
Nobody Else is Bidding for the Job
It’s advisable to get at least three bids for a construction project. More bids are always better. This allows you to compare different bids to get the best deal for the project. But, if you only get one contractor bid for the job, don’t tell them that they are your only choice. Doing so will give them bargaining power. Make sure that your contractor believes that you have options.
Don’t Disclose Your Budget
Don’t let the contractor know the amount you intend to spend on a construction project. If a contractor knows that your budget for the project is $20,000, they will look for a way to bid for $20,000. Therefore, make sure that it’s the contractors who specify the bid for the project. This will enable you to compare labor and material costs provided by different bidders.
Never Tell Your Contractor that You Are Not in a Rush
If a contractor knows that you don’t want your project to be completed hurriedly, they can take years to complete it. A contractor can accept other projects or spend time on other things instead of getting your project completed hurriedly. Therefore, communicate timeliness of your project and chat out timely expectations regarding the completion of your project.
It’s also important to avoid allowing the contractor to choose building materials. Additionally, avoid making the contractor know that you are ready to pay a high amount of deposit. Instead, stick to paying 10% only as stipulated by the law.