How to Hire a Contractor You Can Trust: Red Flags to Avoid and Smart Hiring Tips
Avoid Scams, Spot Red Flags, and Find Reliable Help for Your Home or Property
Introduction
Hiring someone to work on your home—whether it’s a roofer, plumber, painter, handyman, or landscaper—can be a major relief when done right. But it can also turn into a nightmare if you hire the wrong person.
In just our first year in business, we’ve already heard countless stories from homeowners and small property owners who were burned by unreliable contractors.
People who never showed up when they said they would
Jobs left unfinished or poorly done
Surprise charges added after the fact
Full payments taken up front, only for the contractor to disappear
Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens more often than it should. But with a little preparation and the right questions, you can protect yourself—and your property—from being taken advantage of.
This guide will show you:
The most common red flags to avoid
What makes a contractor or service provider trustworthy
How to confidently hire help that’s reliable, honest, and fair
Whether you’re managing a renovation, hiring for yard work, or just getting some light repairs done, these tips will help you hire smarter.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Contractor
Not every bad contractor is a scam artist—but there are definitely patterns to look for. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to slow down and reconsider before moving forward.
1. No Online Presence or Verified Business Info
In today’s world, any legitimate business should have at least a basic online presence—a Google Business Profile, website, or Facebook page. This allows people to leave reviews, see past work, and verify the business exists.
If you can’t find any online listing, reviews, or work examples, it could mean they’re:
New and untested
Trying to avoid bad reviews
Not running a legitimate, registered business
✅ Best practice: Search their name, phone number, or business name on Google. Look for reviews, testimonials, or photos of past projects.
2. They Ask for Full Payment Upfront
Paying a reasonable deposit is standard practice—especially for large jobs that require upfront material costs. For bigger projects like renovations, deposits of 30–40% are common.
But if someone insists on 100% payment before starting, that’s a major red flag. Once they have all your money, there’s no pressure for them to do quality work—or any work at all.
They may be:
Operating with no cash flow or backup
Not intending to complete the job
Overbooking themselves with no real commitment to follow through
✅ Best practice: Agree on a written payment schedule, hold back a final portion (often 20–30%) until the work is complete and you’re satisfied.
3. No Written Estimate or Scope of Work
If a contractor won’t give you a written quote or job details, you have no record of what’s agreed upon—which makes it easy for things to go sideways.
Without a written agreement, you’re at risk of:
Last-minute price increases
Work being done differently than discussed
Disputes over what was or wasn’t included
✅ Best practice: Always request:
An itemized quote
A clear description of what’s included
A rough timeline
A payment schedule
Put it in writing—even a text or email is better than nothing.
4. No Proof of Insurance or Licensing
Anyone working on your home should be properly insured. If they aren’t, and something goes wrong—like property damage or an injury—you could be legally or financially responsible.
If they avoid the question or say “don’t worry about it,” that’s your sign to walk away.
✅ Best practice: Ask for proof of liability insurance and any relevant trade licenses (especially for plumbing, electrical, or roofing work).
5. Too Eager to Start Right Away (During Busy Season)
It’s great when someone is available soon—but if they’re overly eager to start immediately, especially during spring, summer, or fall, something might be off.
It could mean:
They’ve had jobs cancel because of poor service
They don’t have steady business
They’re rushing to get paid without long-term commitments
✅ Best practice: Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to book fast without time to think or review the details.
✅ How to Find Honest, Reliable Service Providers
Good help is out there—you just have to know how to find it. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.
1. Ask Around Locally
Some of the best contractors never advertise—they get steady work through word of mouth. Ask:
Friends, family, or neighbors
Community Facebook groups
Online neighborhood apps like Nextdoor
People are usually happy to share both good and bad experiences.
2. Check Their Online Reputation
Do a quick search for their business name, phone number, or email. You’re looking for:
Google reviews
Facebook or Instagram pages
Photos of finished projects
Business profiles on directories like Yelp, Bark, or Houzz
This gives you a feel for their consistency, professionalism, and quality of work.
3. Ask the Right Questions
Before you hire someone, ask a few key things:
Are you insured and/or licensed for this work?
Can you send me a written quote or scope of work?
What’s your expected start date and timeline?
What happens if plans or costs change?
Do you have any references or photos of previous work?
How does your payment schedule work?
✅ The way they answer will tell you a lot about their transparency and professionalism.
4. Start Small if You’re Unsure
If you’re not 100% confident, try them on a smaller job first. A half-day project or minor repair gives you the chance to see:
How they communicate
Whether they show up on time
What their work quality and cleanup is like
If it goes well, you can book them for larger jobs with confidence.
🧾 Quick Comparison: Good vs. Shady Contractors
✅ Good Contractor
Verified online presence
Written quotes provided
Licensed and insured
Fair deposit/payment schedule
Clear communication
References or photos available
🚩 Shady Contractor
No online presence
Verbal quotes only
No proof of insurance
Asks for full payment upfront
Hard to reach or vague
No past work to show
Conclusion: Hire with Confidence and Protect Your Time, Money, and Property
Hiring someone to work on your home or property shouldn’t be stressful—it should make your life easier. But that only happens when you hire the right kind of help.
The most common contractor issues can be avoided by:
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Doing some basic research
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Asking the right questions
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Getting things in writing
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Paying only what’s fair—and when it’s fair to do so
Whether you’re hiring for a small project or a major renovation, these tips will help you avoid costly mistakes and choose someone who respects your time, money, and property.
We wrote this guide to help homeowners and small property owners feel more confident about hiring help. Even if you’re not located near us in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, these tips apply wherever you live.
At Valley Labour & Property Services, we follow the exact principles shared in this post. We only send the invoice when the work is complete to your satisfaction, we provide clear, upfront pricing, and we’re fully insured — so you can feel confident about who you’re hiring.
If you’re in the Annapolis Valley and thinking about getting help with your property, you can:
We’d be happy to help — whether you’re ready to book or just need advice.
