As many victims of the L.A. fires are turning their attention to rebuilding their homes and businesses, contractors will be in high demand, but not all companies are a safe bet.
Finding a trustworthy contractor can be daunting, even under the best conditions. With emotions high and a sense of urgency to get things started, it's easy to miss something during the vetting process.
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A simple first step is to check if a company has a legitimate license through the Consumer Affairs Contractor State License Board.
The state board suggests getting at least three bids before moving forward. You can weed out subpar companies during the bidding process, Hector Raya of Raya Construction tells KNX News' Karen Adams.
One way to tell if they are a good choice is if they work with you to get every detail in writing.
Raya, an L.A. contractor of more than 30 years, said, "A lot of contractors don't want to do that because they say, 'Well, it's just shopping.' Yeah, it works both ways. You don't get every job you bid."
He says that when dealing with a contractor for the first time, protect yourself by being specific during the bidding process. If they won't put it on paper, they're not the one for you.
Another indication that the company puts the "con" in "contractor" is if they only deal in cash or ask for a large lump sum.
Avoid paying more than 10% down, Raya said, and don't let payments get ahead of the work.
"You never give lump sums like that to contractors. That's why they walk off," Raya said. "They'll ask for 50% upfront. For what? Because they've been working there a day or two or a week?"
Even good contractors can get themselves into trouble, and Raya had some advice for them as well. "They all want to stay busy, but you can't take every job, so don't take on more than you can chew."
A state license is a must, but Raya says 'word of mouth is best.' It ensures customers know precisely the quality of work they're getting.
Raya urges customers to confirm that the company has workers' compensation insurance and always trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling about a contractor, move on.
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