While most contractors are good people, they aren't always good at planning out and executing a renovation job efficiently. Common contractor troubles include poor workmanship, unfulfilled promises and deliveries, missed deadlines, and spending beyond the budget.
Contractors say that it's difficult to please many homeowners because they're never satisfied with the finished product. Homeowners say contractors promise to come back and finish punch list items but rarely do.
To protect yourself, you need a written contract with your contractor. You can find a sample contract from the American Institute of Architects. Be sure you show the contract to a real estate attorney before you sign it. While the AIA form contract is a good starting point for negotiation, your contract should reflect the details of your own project, including the starting and completion dates.
And, don't give the contractor the final check until you're completely satisfied.
