The Top Tips for Choosing a Contractor in Metro Atlanta—Without Getting Ripped Off

 ​#1 - Hiring "Mr. Dirt Cheap!" Sure, most people now-a-days are very price conscious and in today's economy, who can blame them? But "Mr. Dirt Cheap" is rarely a money saving option.

 

 For one, chances are he's not Licensed or Insured. What happens if he get's hurt on your property or does some major damage to your home or business?

 

 Do you really think he's going to cover those damages? Do you really think he's going to pay his own medical bills? Really? What an absolute nightmare that could turn out to be!



 You also need to ask yourself "Just WHY is Mr. Dirt Cheap so - Cheap? What corners is he cutting? What experience does he have actually bidding the job at hand?

 

 Is he actually qualified to do the job in the first place? Has he done this EXACT job MANY times in the past?

 

  Is he going to hit me up for more money towards the end of the job so he can "finish" it? Is he going to just make a mess of things so that you're going to have to hire someone else to fix? (We see this all the time!)

 

 You get the point and as you see, these are important questions and unless you feel 100% confident with the answers, please, don't hire Mr. Dirt Cheap! It could end up costing you much more in the long run!

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 Even if a Contractor IS Licensed and Insured yet his bid comes in well below the other bids you may be receiving, this can also be a red flag! He could be having financial problems and willing to cut his prices just to get some money coming in.

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 Wouldn't you hate for your contractor to go "belly up" right in the middle of YOUR remodeling project? What a nightmare that would be! (Yes, we've had many of these calls over the years too!)

 

  Remember, ASK a potential contractor how many times has he done your EXACT project? ASK/INSIST on seeing that License & Insurance AND by all means, ASK FOR REFERENCES!



 #2 - Hiring "Mr. Big Advertiser!" We all see the TV Commercials and hear those nice Radio ads don't we? Folks, we're here to tell you, TV and Radio advertising isn't cheap! WHO do you think pays for all this expensive advertising?

 

 Well you do of course! So, not only are you going to pay through the nose with Mr. Big Advertiser, here's something you may not have thought of...

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 Mr. Big Advertiser has a constant stream of new "Leads" and customers to deal with. These people didn't come from referrals from happy customers, they "bought" what they heard in those expensive ads and more of them come in every day.

 

 Do you really think top quality is going to come from someone who has a hundred more customers lined up right after you?

 

 Do you really think Mr. Big Advertiser has the reputation of "Do it right" or one of "Get it done FAST and get out?" You know the answer to that one! 

 

 Some of the worst horror stories we've heard over the years is the MESS some giant company made in someone's home or business...

 

 And if they didn't make it right, you have to go up against that giant corporation with bottomless pockets! Again, you get the point.



​ We also want to mention ~ Be VERY careful with anyone who gives you an estimate "site unseen" over the phone. Many contractors that do this are just trying to get a foot in your door by throwing a low-ball price at you.

 

 When the job is started or completed, that's rarely the price you'll get charged!

 

 Again, this is your home or business. Deal with people willing to take their time to come see your project, big or small and provide you with an accurate estimate based on their experience. Do not deal with those that casually throw out numbers over the phone!

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 That being said, yes, a lot of quality (and busy) Contractors DO "price qualify" many callers over the phone. Many home and business owners simply have no idea what a particular project will cost, so the Contractor may ask "what's your budget?"

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 Well, if a caller is looking to have their 1500 sq./ft. Basement finished and they have a budget of $5000.00 ~ There's no reason for the Contractor to take his time to go see them because that simply can't be done.

 

 The good Contractors who are also "good guys" will let that caller down gently and hopefully, the caller will appreciate the Contractor's honesty!



  So, what is a savvy Home or Business owner (Or Apartment/Condo Community or Church or School or Nursing Home/Retirement Community or Management Company etc... etc...) to do? 

 

 Look for the good guys in the middle of Mr. Dirt Cheap & Mr. Big Advertiser!

 

 The best contractors usually live somewhere between “Mr. Dirt Cheap” and “Mr. Big Advertiser.”

 

 Look for professionals who are properly licensed and insured, who are willing to share references, and who earn most of their work through repeat customers and referrals.

 

 That applies whether you’re tackling a $5,000 repair or a $500,000 renovation.

Experience matters — but so does accountability.

 

 A good contractor should communicate clearly, explain your options, and help you understand realistic expectations before any work begins.

 

 If you take nothing else from this guide, remember this: the goal isn’t to find the cheapest price or the biggest name — it’s to find a qualified professional who stands behind their work.

 

 If you’re ready to talk through your project or want help understanding your options, we’re always happy to help.​​​