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LLStyle Story: Looking for Mr. Right (Contractor)

Contractors are baseball coaches, golf fanatics, amateur stock analysts, artists, and … TV hosts. To get to the bottom of how to find the right contractor and to make the relationship work, we gave Josh a call to get his thoughts.

6 min read
Published on May 20, 2021

Have you ever been referred a contractor by a friend that raves about them and then it didn’t turn out so well for you? Did it make you reevaluate your friendship with that person?

We get it.

And, we also get that contractors are people too. Like our friend Josh Temple. Contractors are baseball coaches, golf fanatics, amateur stock analysts, artists, and … TV hosts. To get to the bottom of how to find the right contractor and to make the relationship work, we gave Josh a call to get his thoughts...

 

Josh Temple, host of HGTV's House Crashers talks to LL Flooring
Josh Temple, host of HGTV's House Crashers talks to LL Flooring

 

LL Style: What is some key information people need to know when they’re seeking the right contractor?

Josh Temple: Finding the right contractor means knowing yourself first. Aside from a completed job, how do you want to see it done? Do you need it done fast? Cheap? Are you detail oriented? Do you need a clean job site? Are you willing to do demolition yourself to save money? 

Hiring a contractor is like a first date. It pays to be honest — because the truth will come out. So hire someone with whom you can be honest. Hire someone you feel you can communicate with, that hears you and you hear. If you’re looking for the cheapest bid, don’t be ashamed to say it. It’s all about finding the contractor that will best meet your expectations.

 

Woman feels texture of flooring.  How to choose the right flooring contractor is as important as choosing the perfect hardwood flooring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LL: What are some red flags folks should be on the lookout for before hiring a contractor?

JT: I’ve never been a fan of contractors that drive a van or a Porshe. I’m kidding (but not really).

The easy red flags can be found online: Do they have insurance? Do they have any lawsuits? Will they pull permits (assuming you want that)?  

It all depends on the job. I know contractors that subcontract everything. I know contractors that do everything themselves.The key is if you want someone to come in and handle everything, ask for that. And then ask them how much it will cost.

But let me be clear: everything you want improved to your house costs money.So it’s in your best interest to get as much information from the contractor at the start.

LL: Once you have a contractor locked in, what are the keys to setting expectations and charting the project timeline and cost?

JT: Straight up, if the contractor is good, they’re busy. If they’re busy, they’re juggling jobs. If they’re juggling jobs, your timeline will need to be “flexible” depending on how smoothly things run not only with your job, but all the other jobs the contractor has. So keep your expectations high (if that’s important to you) and know that things rarely go smoothly for everyone. Or, if timeline is everything, be prepared to pay more for it. This is Home Improvement 101. 

Obviously there are more advanced Home Improvement classes where things work out. But you must be prepared by knowing that time, money, or quality can suffer. Contractors want work, they need work for themselves and their crew. But these are “estimates” — best guess. They need to stay low enough to get the job and high enough to stay in business. Meanwhile, the homeowner wants a great remodel at the lowest possible price. Both parties are dancing to this song. With any luck, the song has a good beat.

 

A new flooring from Dream Home is installed by a careful flooring contractor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LL: What do you see as the biggest issues that get in the way of the homeowner-contractor relationship?

JT: The biggest issue is usually resentment. And I use the word resentment because of its definition: “bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly.” Contractors feel cheated, homeowners feel cheated. If (or when) things go wrong, somebody “loses” money. I say that because that’s assuming the contractor was spot-on in their estimate and the homeowner had no pre-existing problems with their house. So who’s going to pay? Contractors mess up. Homes have unforeseen issues.

Here are some tips to avoid the issues:

1. Don’t max out your money. It will stress you out and leaves no room for mistakes.  
2. Talk to your contractor! Tell them everything you want. Make a priority list. Work in phases. If they don’t perform the way you like in the first phase, end it.
3. Incentivize you contractor. Contractors love repeat clients. Contractors love good referrals. This is business.

LL: Many people may not know the life of a contractor: can you describe what goes on in terms of your various jobs?

JT: The best question of all time! And if I could ever catch up with all the client emails, texts, and voicemails, I’d write a book.

I am a contractor. I love what I do. I want to do it 5 days a week. And I want to make a decent living. I too would like to support my family.

But to make it as a contractor, you can’t really hold tools because you have to answer calls, texts and emails. You can’t only work 5 days a week. And to make a decent living, you can’t just be good at your job. You have to estimate correctly, the people you hire need to show up and perform, all materials have to hold cost upon time of bid, your client has to pay the full amount…on time, you need time to find other work, and that other work has to coincide with current work.

While all this is happening you must also field phone calls from relatives, friends, friends of friends, your barber, your therapist, your kids’ teacher, and your Uber driver on guesstimates of what it will cost to do this…just ballpark. 

The best thing about being a contractor is the joy (and payment) I bring to people by fixing their homes. I like challenges, I like working with tools, I like improving people’s homes and lives. I would however like to lift a little less, nothing is light in construction.

LL: As a contractor, what are some pet peeves you have dealing with homeowners — and how might readers benefit from knowing about those?

JT: There are countless horror stories (and even a couple of TV shows) that highlight bad contractors. In my opinion, those people aren’t contractors, they’re scam artists. And there are scam artists in every industry-- doctors, salesmen, mechanics. The problem with scam artist builders is that they mess up your home, the most sacred of all places. And I get that. But I can see it every time I meet a new potential client: The skepticism is palpable. The stigma is that I am plotting my takeover of all these people’s savings.

Another thing to keep in mind is that all contractors are different. Some are very organized. Some are really good at improvising. Some take charge of problems and some won’t do anything without homeowner consent.  

Think of a waiter at a restaurant, like your favorite waiter. Does that waiter dote on you the whole meal and continuously check on your experience? Does that waiter offer suggestions of things that you might really like? Does that waiter stay and chat? Does that waiter do nothing extra, just give you menus, bring you food, and bring you a bill when you’re finished? Everyone has different answers right? The great thing about contractors is that you get to choose who it is. It’s like choosing your best waiter...and we don’t expect a tip.  Bon Appetit!

Are you a Flooring Pro? Make sure you sign up for the LL Flooring Pro benefits, including special pricing, extended hours, dedicated representatives, and more. Watch this video below for more information, and sign up now!

 

 

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