Blog Layout

Red Flags to Avoid with Home Remodeling Contractors

Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction • Apr 09, 2020

For many of us who aren’t managers or heads of HR, home remodeling contractors are just about the only people we’ll ever get to hire. We come to the task uneducated, though; we’ve never done it before, with maybe a few exceptions that are years apart.

While this is by no means a comprehensive “expert’s guide” to hiring a home remodeling contractor, we hope it will be good for at least a few insider tips and help you avoid being a character in a renovation horror story.

 

Home Remodeling Contractors at a Glance

First of all, in Oregon, all legal home remodeling contractors have CCB numbers. Ours is at the bottom of every page of our website. This is your first vetting criterion. If one of your candidates doesn’t have a CCB number, then they’re not a candidate unless you’re into black markets and the allure of catastrophic danger.

Ask for their CCB number and check it online.

Having a CCB number is what we Oregon renovation contractors mean when we say “licensed and bonded”. That’s a ubiquitous phrase and sometimes, it gets abused. It also means we have liability insurance and Worker’s Comp. Feel free to ask any further questions about the world of CCB numbers when you call us.

 

3 Red Flags when Dealing with Renovation Contractors

Of course, being legal isn’t the same as being good . Once you’ve compiled a list of, say, three to five candidates who have their magic numbers in hand, you have to move on to more subjective criteria. Here are three red flags that tend to be especially important:

 

1. Lack of Responsiveness

Nobody wants a small problem to blow up because someone didn’t check their messages or make that return call. Remodeling is stressful for every homeowner and the more real-time conversation that you can have with your home remodeling contractor, the better. Besides, doesn’t an unresponsive contractor just seem lazy?

 

2. They Don’t Get Permits

If your home remodeling company doesn’t seem to be interested in checking for or getting the required permits for the job you’re hiring them for, that’s pretty much the same as not having a CCB number. Everybody can get in trouble, including the homeowner.

 

3. You Feel Pressured

You’ve already made your decisions about your remodel. It’s not a contractor’s job to sell . If you feel pushed around, bullied, or any other kind of pressure from your renovation contractor, that’s a major red flag.

 

Home Remodeling Contractors for Your Next Project

Fitzpatrick is a highly rated and trusted painting company , but we also happen to specialize in every aspect of home remodeling and renovation. We remodel and renovate commercial and industrial buildings too. Our understanding is deep, our track record is long, and our people are nice. Insightful. Friendly.

When you call, ask about our 12-year warranty too. It’s important to us that our customers are satisfied and we built our business systems to make sure they are.

28 Feb, 2024
Discover the key rules for painting interior doors effectively. Our expert guide covers everything you need to create stunning interiors.
26 Feb, 2024
Explore our in-depth comparison of cabinet refacing vs painting. Learn which option suits your style, budget, and kitchen's needs.
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 21 Oct, 2021
Let’s lay out a scenario real quick…  You want to update your kitchen, don’t really need a full remodel, and are intrigued by the idea of painting your kitchen cabinets. Everyone seems to be doing it, and you’re liking the versatility and efficiency of the process. Plus, all the cabinets on Instagram and Pinterest? Awesome.  […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 23 Apr, 2020
Backyard parties are some of the most uplifting gatherings that people host. There’s nothing quite like gathering your friends together for dinner, drinks, and maybe even some lawn games on a cool summer evening. If the right setup doesn’t go into place first, though, the space can feel like a desert and quietly suck the […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 16 Apr, 2020
Of course, the best way to make a beach house exterior is to wrap it around a beach house interior. Sadly, not all of us have our interiors on beaches so, if we dig that aesthetic, we have to create it where we are. Any professional construction company will have its own ideas, but below, […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 02 Apr, 2020
There are countless reasons to build a deck railing, but the first two are the most important: Safety Safety A deck also doesn’t look finished without a railing, mostly because it’s not. Those first two reasons, however, are why the municipality you live in probably has some pretty specific requirements that will factor into how […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 26 Mar, 2020
Broadly speaking, there are three materials that are usually used to make exterior house trim: wood, plastic, and fiber cement. Each has its pros and cons. Wouldn’t you like to know?   Introduction to Exterior House Trim   Wood The world used wood for exterior house trim until better materials were invented. It’s still nice […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 25 Mar, 2020
Fitzpatrick Painting and Construction would like to extend our services to our seniors and high-risk citizens in the Willamette Valley. We will be making grocery store, pharmacy and essential errand runs for those who are in need and most vulnerable in these unprecedented times. Our community has always taken care of us and we want […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 19 Mar, 2020
If you’re interested in whipping up a farmhouse bedroom for yourself, chances are you don’t live on a farm, which is great–it’ll make the job much easier. A real farmhouse might look any number of ways. A carefully crafted farmhouse in town is a fun and doable project. A traditional farmhouse bedroom–like all of its […]
By Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 12 Mar, 2020
Pergolas are wonderful. They can be installed onto an existing deck, a patio, out in the middle of the yard, or all three if you’re a real party animal. Building a pergola is a pretty major construction project though, so instead of a comprehensive DIY guide on how to build a pergola on a deck, […]
More Posts
Share by: