Knutson Bros II, LLC

How do I know whether the remodeler I'm talking to is a professional or not? I don't want to make a costly mistake!!

Red Flags: Signs of the Un-Professional Home Remodeler (courtesy of the National Association of Home Builders)

• Doesn't have license and insurance. All professional home remodelers should be insured and able to show their certificate proving such insurance. Although all states do not require licensing, remodelers in states requiring licenses should have it and be able to provide a copy.
• Doesn't write contracts. Professional home remodelers have clear contracts that outline the job, process, the cost, and helps clarify how problems will be managed. If you don't have a contract, neither the remodeler nor the home owner are protected when something goes wrong.
• Requires cash or payment in full before starting the job. Shady home remodelers demand cash and then run with the money. Many home owners have been stranded by paying in full up front.
• Vastly underbids all other contractors. They may have the best price, but that doesn't guarantee the best work. Such contractors may cut costs on quality for your home remodel, which can end up costing more when the home owner has to redo the work.
• Cannot provide customer references. Professional home remodelers should have current references they can provide from current and past clients.
• Poor credit. A bad credit report suggests bad business practices that could harm your remodeling project.
• Difficulty contacting the home remodeler. Professionals have a physical office, mailing address, phone, and email. They should respond to your queries in a timely manner.