There are two kinds of cowboys in this old world of hours. Honest, hardworking cowboys are usually found on cattle ranches. The dishonest, unscrupulous kinds are found far too often in roofing, plumbing and other building trades. Fortunately, the tell tale signs of a cowboy builder can be easy for homeowners to spot.
Hiring tradesmen to do work on homes, offices, factories and other buildings would be so much easier if it were possible to trust every worker without question. Sadly, just as with every trade or profession, there are lazy, dishonest people who are willing to con people out of their money by doing sloppy, even dangerous work. Learning how to detect these people in advance can save both money and heartache.
For starters, cowboy builders are often friendly and confident, making potential employers reluctant to verify the worker’s abilities and promises. Don’t be fooled by a genial manner, however. The first rule of smoking out a cowboy builder before he can bilk you out of money is to “trust, but verify.”
First, resist all attempts by a tradesman to get you to sign a blank contract right away for whatever reason. Never sign anything without reading it thoroughly and filling in blanks. Also never pay a worker in advance, even if he says he needs cash to buy supplies. Hand over the cash and you’ve probably seen the last of that cowboy builder.
Next, it pays to put the job down in writing. Not only does this help the homeowner get a better idea of the scope and cost of the project, it assures that there are notes to which both the employer and the tradesman can refer in case of questions or disputes. What’s more, with a project plan in writing, it’s easier to request written bids from builders. Any builder who refuses to provide a written estimate for a proposed project isn’t reliable. Avoid them.
Next, ask for references. Call up the references and ask how well the tradesman performed their work, what problems occurred and how they were handled by the builder. If possible, set up an appointment with one or two references to visit the site where the work was done to see for yourself the quality of the work. Listen carefully to what the references tell you. Someone may seem like a great guy, but he could still not do the job correctly.
Lastly, never knuckle under to a tradesman who pressures you to make a quick decision or who insists on getting money up front. These are two of the biggest signs of a cowboy builder. If you encounter these tell tale signs, firmly decline to hire them and get out fast.
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Tags: tradesmen, builders, management, home, Construction, caftsmen, diy