While renovating a property is an exciting time for those involved, it is also when fraudulent subcontractors are most likely to prey on naïve home or building owners. As most non-construction professionals are unlikely to know how to spot a fraudulent subcontractor, we’ve highlighted the most obvious red flags to lookout for when hiring a subcontractor.
Don’t let yourself be forced into hiring someone.
If a subcontractor forcefully contacts you or harasses you about their service, they are most likely going to bully you throughout the construction process. Instead find a contractor via reputable sources such as industry related publications or Internet search engines such as Google. Fraudsters are smarter than you think and are experts at bulling consumers, faking their services and lying about credentials.
Ask a question that you already know the answer to.
If you know that your project only requires minor repairs but the contractor insists you require an overhaul, it is very likely that he is trying to scam you.
Take your time when making your decision.
A fraudulent subcontractor will try force you to commit to the job on the spot. Take your time and get second and third opinions regarding your project. An honest and legitimate subcontractor will allow you to take your time when making your decision as they know their quote is legitimate and good value for money.
Ask for at least three contactable references over different time periods.
Even the worst subcontractors can muster at least one good reference. This will also give you an indication of his consistency. If he hesitates, that’s a big red flag and a sign to run for the hills.
Ask for his business card.
It’s advisable to check if his telephone number and business location is legitimate. Sometimes fraudsters use fake locations or telephone numbers, so it is wise to call the number or even visit the location on the business card.
Do your research
about the contractor and see if you can find any negative or positive reviews to get some insight into his track record.
Ask if he is part of any associations
such as Master Builders South Africa or the South African Glass and Glazing Association and ask for proof of membership. These organisations don’t accept frauds and have strict criteria regarding their members.
Never sign a contract that you don’t understand or that has blank sections.
You never know what you could be getting yourself into. Another red flag is that the contractor insists that there is no contract in place. Contracts are there to protect all parties involved. Never enter into a work agreement without a contract in place or one that you don’t full understand. Subcontractors receive some of the highest amount of complaints and due to this you need to ensure that you are hiring the right organisation for your building project.
We’re not saying that every subcontractor is out to scam you, as that is far from the case, we just want to ensure that you get good value for money and a finished building project that is safe to utilise on a daily basis.