When the economy is good again, everyone with a tool belt and a truck will try to capitalize on it. There are many great home builders and remodelers in Southeastern Wisconsin. Unfortunately, there are just as many bad ones and they seem to multiply during good times.
The worst are known as “Chuck-and-a Truck” in our industry. “Chuck” is an unqualified worker pretending to be a building professional. He may be friendly and sound like he knows what he is doing…..especially when he is trying to get your business. After all, his truck is full of tools and he dresses the part, he must be legit right?
Here are the signs you are talking to “Chuck” who will end up costing you time and money:
Chuck In A Truck
1.) “Chuck” has time to do your project, right away! He had a cancelation and can fit you in his busy schedule. Any good contractor is busy right now. They will be honest with you about their schedule and when they can start your project.
2.) “Chuck” will give you a low price that is too good to be true….because it is! Through the years, I have seen several times, where a “Chuck-and-a-Truck” will walk away from the job when he figures out he grossly underbid it, leaving the customer hanging. Or he will give endless excuses for delays or excuses of why he is not there. Then he just quits answering his phone…..
3.) He will have you sign a very vague contract, usually without construction plans or a detailed specification of the products he is using. His contract will not give starting and ending dates, explain Wisconsin Lien Law or the Right to Cure Law, give you his insurance information, payment terms or define anything for that matter. Beware of anyone who does not provide these things at a minimum.
4.) “Chuck” will be unable to provide you with any design help or assistance in picking out materials. He may send you to a cabinet designer to do your kitchen or bath design and tell you to go from store to store to chose your materials. For a new house, he may be willing to use someone else’s house design and not explain the ramifications of federal “Copyright Laws”.
5.) “Chuck” will not be able to provide you with a list of references or take you to any recently completed jobs.
6.) “Chuck” will not be a member of any trade organizations like a builders association or remodeler’s association. He will not be in his local chamber of commerce or a member of the Better Business Bureau—all in the name of saving you money!
7.) “Chuck” will not have any investment in marketing like a website, Google page, Facebook page, Linkedin profile…..in fact you may not be able to find him online at all.
8.) “Chuck” also won’t pull any building permits, he will ask you to pull the permits in your name or he will tell you he doesn’t need to pull permits. He will say this is one of the ways he is saving you money!! Beware of any contractor that does not pull permits or asks you to pull them….this means they are not a licensed contractor. You must have a license in this state to pull a permit unless you are the homeowner. In addition, when you go to sell your home if permits have not been pulled for recent work completed you will be trying to do it after the fact, which may include additional costs like fines or having to have work redone to meet code, etc.
9.) “Chuck-in-a-Truck” will not be able to show you his General Contractor’s License or show you a Certificate of Insurance with Worker’s Compensation or General Liability. What most homeowner’s do not understand is if “Chuck” gets hurt at your house without having Worker’s Compensation Insurance, your homeowner’s insurance will be paying his medical bills and salary until he is back on his feet! Or without General Liability Insurance who will repair any property damage that may occur during construction to your neighbor’s yard or your house if a pipe leaks for instance. Or worse you will be sued because “Chuck” didn’t carry insurance.
10.) “Chuck” may have a criminal history that is why he is self-employed. Perhaps he has ripped off other homeowners in a similar way. Keep in mind to have a general contractor’s license in the state of Wisconsin you must provide a certificate of insurance and in some municipalities (City of Milwaukee) you also have to pass a criminal background check.
11.) What happens if “Chuck” gets in a car accident or sick and can’t work for a day, week or month? Since “Chuck-in-a-Truck” is a one-man show, who will keep your project going? You?
12.) “Chuck” will often ask for money every week to keep the job going and on schedule. Real home builders and remodeling contractors will spell out the terms of payment and what has to be complete in order to get paid.
13.) “Chuck” will use inferior products that he has purchased at discount stores. Or worse, he will install the products not to code, incorrectly and void any manufacturer warranty.
14.) What happens if “Chuck-in-a-Truck” doesn’t pay his bills for products or subcontractors he has hired to work on your project? You will get notices of non-payment from a material supplier or subcontractor saying they are filing a mechanical lien on your house because “Chuck” has not paid them. What does that mean? You will be paying the bill twice!
15.) If you do get through a project with “Chuck-in-a-Truck” when you have a warranty issue, he will be nowhere to be found. It is called a “Tailgate Warranty” for a reason—the warranty is over as soon as he has pulled out of your driveway!
There is a huge difference between a professional home builder and remodeler and a “Chuck-in-a-Truck” that calls himself a building contractor. A professional is conducting a business and maintains all the necessary items to run that business like a General Contractor’s License and proper insurance coverage. Do your homework and please do not be fooled by a low price, you ultimately will get what you paid for!
