Sales Pitches to Avoid

Know the Red Flags Before You Hire a Contractor

When it comes to hiring someone to work on your home, not every sales pitch is as good as it sounds. A lot of companies know the right things to say to win your business, but that doesn’t mean they can actually deliver. Over the years, I’ve seen homeowners get burned by contractors who make big promises but cut corners when it counts. My goal is to help you spot those red flags ahead of time so you can feel confident about who you’re letting onto your property. At the end of the day, your home deserves more than just smooth talk – it deserves quality work done right.

1. They tell you how long they’ve been in business – 10, 15, 20 years, etc.

That’s fine if the person who has been in business that long is doing the install, but I doubt it. You want to know who is actually doing the install and what their experience is. I personally have handled every install since 2004.

2. Fully Insured.

Is the owner fully insured, or is every single person who will be on your property covered? This insurance is very expensive, and companies can be sneaky about it. Ask to see copies – you have that right as a homeowner. I am fully insured, right down to commercial insurance on my vehicle. Trust me, you don’t want anything to happen on your property without the proper insurance.

3. Citizenship.

This is also a big deal these days. Just because the owner is a legal citizen doesn’t mean their employees are. Check it out. Many companies today save a lot of money by hiring illegals and barely training them. Also, will you be able to communicate with them during the installation if you have questions? This is your home. The Soffit Guy was born and raised in the good ole USA (and can even speak the language).

4. Companies that claim they can do different jobs for you and save you money.

I understand it seems logical to have one company handle multiple tasks on your home improvements, but be careful – do your research. Many of these companies will tell you they can handle other jobs you may need done, then turn around and subcontract it out to another company. This is very popular today. Ever heard the term “jack of all trades, master of none”? Do your research. Try to hire someone who specializes in the task at hand. Sure, The Soffit Guy could change your oil and rotate your tires, but I’m not going to do it just to get your soffit business. Let’s stick with what I know best: soffit and fascia. Unfortunately, the construction industry, like many others today, is overrun with incompetence – so be very careful who you hire.