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A new Know Before You Hire series - Homeowner Horror Story
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When Contracted Work Goes Bad
How To Prevent
We have been talking about how to hire contractors. In the Know Before You Hire series we’ve looked at specific considerations depending on which type of contractor you are hiring.
What if your contractors work is done poorly?
What if the work is not done per the plans?
A client recently broke down crying on the phone over such a distressing and frustrating situation. After investing tens of thousands of dollars into what they believed would be a comprehensive and professionally executed structural reinforcement project at their home, they were devastated to discover that the work had not been completed according to the meticulously prepared plans. This project was not a minor undertaking; it involved the installation of a substantial steel beam within the crawl space of their home, intended to provide crucial additional support to the existing floor joist system. The plans were detailed, with the beam, steel posts to support the beam, and the necessary foundations all carefully designed and specifications thoroughly drawn up by professionals.
However, once the work was declared complete, the homeowner began to notice several alarming discrepancies that raised red flags. Instead of the steel beam being properly supported as per the design, they observed new steel posts placed haphazardly under random wood floor joists, completely bypassing the intended steel beam. Even more concerning was the fact that some of these steel posts were not even making contact with the steel beam, rendering them ineffective and compromising the
Attempts at calling the contractor, expressing concern with the work, and asking for resolution was met with ghosting and dismissive claims about the issues.
If you missed it, I previously featured a checklist for hiring contractors. Check it Out Here.
How can we minimize the chances that we get to this point? Hiring a contractor is not easy, and requires many considerations.
I have five high-value suggestions to minimize the chances that you end up in a bad spot:
Hire only locally owned companies - I can tell you that the company owner who lives in your neighborhood usually cares WAY more than the private equity firm that just rolled up their 136th HVAC company! A locally owned company's reputation lives and dies in the same zip code where you live — they can't just move on to the next market when things go wrong. Ask directly: "Is this company locally owned, or is it part of a larger ownership group?" — the answer tells you a lot.
Run from aggressive sales tactics - All other things being equal, the less sales “tactics” the better. High-pressure tactics — same-day discounts, urgency manufactured out of nowhere, reluctance to let you get a second opinion — are a preview of how that contractor will behave when a problem comes up mid-project. A confident, quality contractor has no reason to rush you; their work speaks for itself.
Hire Expert Third Party Inspectors - You have to just get comfortable with the fact that this is a needed project expense. A structural engineer, home inspector, or specialty consultant hired by you — not the contractor — is the only person on the job site whose sole obligation is to your interests. On major work, schedule inspections at key milestones before anything gets covered up by drywall, backfill, or finish materials.
Ensure The Work Contract References All Plans - Your written contract should state that the contractor is to provide XYZ plans. A contract that simply describes work in vague terms like "install beam per discussion" gives a contractor enormous wiggle room to deviate — and leaves you with little legal recourse. Insist that the contract explicitly states the work shall be performed in strict accordance with the named, dated, and attached plans and specifications.
Correspondence Control - Every concern, every scope change, every verbal agreement gets followed up on and confirmed in writing. A text or email saying "Per our conversation today, you agreed to X before proceeding" takes sixty seconds and is worth thousands of dollars in protection if a dispute arises. Contractors who are doing the right thing won't mind the paper trail — and contractors who do mind it are telling you something.
You will want to keep an eye on the work being performed as it progresses. We’ve talked in previous newsletters about seeking favorable payment terms so you don’t get near the end of a project with a disappearing contractor.
The homeowner in this story had professionally prepared plans, a licensed contractor, and the best of intentions — and still ended up in tears on the phone. What they were missing wasn't information. It was process. The five tips above are that process.
Keep a close eye on the work as it progresses. Take photos before walls, ceilings, and floors close up. Show up unannounced. Ask questions. And the moment something doesn't look right, say so — in writing, the same day.
Want to go even deeper? Check out this past newsletter on hidden messages in contractor quotes!
Have a contractor horror story of your own? Hit reply and tell us — the best ones may appear in a future issue.
The KnowYourHome author, Adam Rich, is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Real Estate Salesperson in Ohio, with a background in engineering, construction management, property management, and real estate investing.
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I’m Adam Rich, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Ohio. I help discerning homeowners like you take control of the complexity behind your home.
With a background in engineering, property management, construction, and real estate investing, I specialize in helping understand the systems that make your home work.
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Whether it’s a one-time consultation or an ongoing relationship, I offer homeowners peace of mind through clear insights, practical planning, and calm expertise.
I am available to consult on home maintenance and improvements, new construction decisions and options, real estate investing or purchases, real estate engineering matters, and other home systems matters. Whether you're planning major renovations, systems upgrades, assessing long-term maintenance, or just want to get a handle on your home’s true condition, I deliver expert-level answers in clear, practical language.
The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.