subject: Confirm Credentials For The Tell Tale Signs Of A Cowboy Builder [print this page] Every trade has its rotten apples, those unscrupulous workers who charge inflated prices and leave behind shoddy, even unfinished work. Unfortunately many of these dishonest workers can be found working in roofing, plumbing and building trades, where they're known as "cowboys." Savvy homeowners should learn how to spot the tell tale signs of a cowboy builder in order to avoid the possibility of paying good money for bad work.
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.
Even with written bids, there's still a possibility of being duped by a tradesman. So once you have their proposals, check out their credentials. A reputable tradesman will gladly provide a certificate of qualification, complete with registration number and a telephone number to call the accrediting agency. Be suspicious of any builder or remodeler who doesn't provide such information upon request.
The refusal to provide references is another sign that a cowboy builder could be trying to get your job. Competent tradesmen know they couldn't ply their trades without the goodwill of previous clients, so they're glad to provide references. Anyone who doesn't give references is likely to be someone with whom a homeowner wouldn't wish to work.
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.
