Beware of Shady Contractors & Furniture Asssemblrs

I am sure many of you found some humor I'm my last post, but believe me if happens all the time. I can't tell you how bad I feel for these people, and if I tell them that this can;t be done for this or they will cut corners it sounds to them that I am trying to undermine them to get the work. Most Importantly go with your gut!

Beware of a contractor who:

• Isn't licensed or insured if applicable for the work at hand. You can check their license online at the NY State licensing website.

• Has popped up out of nowhere, literally. You can't verify any of her references, websites, commercial references, or that she even has a fixed business address.

• Rubs you the wrong way. "Trust your instincts," "If something doesn't feel right about the person, then it probably isn't." If they are in and out in 15 minutes with a price be sure to thank them as you show them the door.

If it's a furniture assembly job most if not all professional companies charge 1/3 of the retail price. If this person offers a price far less it is a flag they are new to the business and have no idea what they are doing.


• Is so eager to get things started that technicalities get brushed away -- but not the fee. He'll say you don't need to sign a contract and try to get you to pay for the project up front. This Old House: Get it in writing
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• Asks you to write a check directly to him for products, such as cabinets and windows, instead of to the company supplying the items.

• Offers a bargain in exchange for using your home as an example of her work or tempts you with a low price that's only on the table if you sign that day.

• Tries to get you to buy stuff you already have. Don't get talked into paying to install a new kitchen cabinet set if you like the one you have.

• Asks you to pay for work that hasn't been done yet or for materials that haven't arrived. Most contractors require about 1/3 of the total price up front and the rest as the job progresses and you are satisfied with the work as it is being done. They also normally figure a total material costs where they have you make a deposit on the total amount of materials in the amount of 1/3 of the total price plus a 20% mark up they add to the price. If they ask for all the money up front, again show them the door!

. If you call and they are busy that is a good sign. It's the guy who is waiting for the phone to ring that you need to worry about because that normally means they have done such poor work that they don't have any referral work, or they are not even a business that has capital to market. However, in the furniture assembly business some companies are able to do several jobs a day and try to schedule new appointments within 72 hours, but no professional contractor should be able to do your job in that time unless he has an army work on 20 jobs at a time.

. Last but not least be weary of the low baller who bids so low that there is now way they can complete a professional job for such a low price. Get three or so bids and out of the ones that are close in price make your decision and make sure you get it all in writing.

Christopher Purnell
www.ezfurnitureassembly.com