Anonymous wrote:How does someone even identify if they are hiring a legit contractor or not? There's so much turnover in the contractor world.
Do not even look at google other than to eliminate anyone with a bunch of 5 star reviews from people that have only done one review. My new rules: if they drive a nice car or truck that is clean and wrapped with their company logo - pass. Go with the contractor driving a plain white van with dents. If they have a fancy web site - pass. If the contractor only has photos on his phone - then they are probably legit. You must talk to other customers and make sure the customers you are speaking with have no relationship to the contractor. Check the MD, DC, and VA court sites (do this early to save yourself time). So many people have entered into contracts with contractors that already have multiple pending lawsuits. Check to see how many web sites they have - have seen contractors with multiple websites all with slightly different names - sure sign of a scam. Watch out for contractors using multiple names. I know this is hard, but there are contractors that change their names to avoid being searched. Then, get a performance bond so that you will be whole if they turn out to be a scammer. All my perspective and opinion of course.