Home renovations should enhance your living spaces, but hiring the wrong contractor can lead to a disaster and a hefty bill, as one woman found out.
Tiana Lynch was delighted with her new home until a contractor’s work made it unlivable.
“We had water pouring from the ceiling right here,” she pointed to her basement ceiling.
The first time she used the shower upstairs, water flooded the lower bathroom. An inspector confirmed the entire bathroom needed redoing.
“She said the whole thing must be demolished and removed,” Lynch recalled.
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Lynch showed upside-down outlets and a messy paint job, with glossy paint mixing with flat paint on her stairway.
“There’s a large paint splatter right here,” she pointed out.
“I have spent over $13,000” on two poorly done bathrooms, she lamented.
How to protect yourself
We consulted a reputable contractor for tips on avoiding a renovation nightmare like this. Hannah Wells from REP General Contracting shared her advice for hiring a trustworthy contractor.
Wells recommends starting with referrals from friends or local Facebook groups.
“You’ll find people who highly recommend certain contractors in the area with photos of their work,” she explained.
She also suggests getting multiple quotes and only proceeding with a written contract. Never agree to a verbal contract for a project costing thousands of dollars.
If a contractor disappears or leaves a mess, ensure you request a certificate of insurance in advance. Additionally, check the company’s Better Business Bureau review.
“If you don’t have a certificate of insurance with their policy number, their agent’s information, and the company they’re insured through,” she noted, “you’ll have limited recourse.”
We contacted Lynch’s contractor, who blamed the poor work on an unqualified subcontractor and offered to complete the job. However, Lynch has had enough.
“It was excuse after excuse after excuse,” she remarked.
She only wishes she had read online reviews before hiring him.
That way, you won’t waste your money.
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