5 warning signs I look out for when appointing a contractor Having the right contractor can literally make or break your project so it is crucial that you get it right Here are 5 things I look out for when searching for a contractor to undertake a project Communication - communication is free and very underutilised. The contractor should respond in a timely manner and explain things in a language you understand References/reviews - references and reviews show if the contractor is reliable, trustworthy and competent for your project Payment - how much is the contractor asking for upfront? A deposit is fine to secure a slot, but if they start asking for 50% of the quote or even payment in full upfront, this should ring alarm bells Contract - a JCT contract on larger projects is essential but under around £150k they become a bit overkill. But having said that, a written agreement outlining roles and responsibilities, payment schedules, retention, defect period and the like should be created and agreed to Insurance - if something goes wrong are they covered and to a suitable extent? Contractors should have no problem showing you their insurance certificates such as contractors all risk and public liability policies What do you think of the list? What else would you add when appointing a contractor for your project?

Posted by Sam Bastow at 2025-09-03 08:47:24 UTC