Contractor Red Flags: 15 Warning Signs Before You Hire

A stranger appears at your door offering work they have 'noticed' needs doing, such as loose roof tiles, driveway repairs, or tree trimming.

The contractor requests 30%, 40%, or even 50% of the total project cost before any work begins.

The contractor insists on cash payments only, or offers you a 'discount for cash' arrangement.

The contractor gives you a verbal price and wants to shake hands on it. No paperwork, no documentation, nothing in writing.

They claim to have insurance but cannot produce certificates, or admit they are not insured with reassurances that 'nothing will go wrong.'

For work requiring specific qualifications such as gas, electrics, or structural work, they cannot provide evidence of the required credentials.

Their quote comes in 30% to 50% cheaper than every other contractor quoting for the same work.

They use phrases like 'This price is only valid today' or 'I have another job starting next week, so I need to know right now.'

They provide only a mobile number. No office address, no business premises, no way to locate them if problems arise.

When you request references from previous customers, they make excuses about being too busy, cite data protection, or simply refuse.

The quote lacks specifics, saying only 'Kitchen renovation as discussed' rather than providing a detailed specification of work and materials.

Payment terms are vague or heavily front loaded. They suggest 'sorting out payments as we go along' without any defined structure.

They actively discourage you from getting other quotes, saying things like 'You will not find better' or 'Other contractors will just rip you off.'

They are slow to return calls, provide vague answers to direct questions, miss scheduled appointments, or prove difficult to reach.

During the quote meeting, they spend significant time criticising competitors, previous contractors who worked on your property, or the construction industry generally.