How common is bad contracting?

You’ve worked for months with contractors to build your dream home and just as you begin to marvel over the brilliant wood floors and marble kitchen counter, the worst happens. It has to be torn down. Why? Because you, like hundreds of other Virginians, unknowingly hired an unlicensed contractor. Believe it or not, this happens to people just like you every year. It’s contractor fraud, but you can avoid it really easily.

First things first, ask yourself “What do I want done?” Sounds like a silly question, but it’s truly far from it. It is crucial to carefully itemize exactly what you want done and how you want your home to look when it’s finished. Carefully prepared plans will be helpful in getting accurate proposals from contractors. Make sure you consider what you realistically expect to spend and what kind of professionals should be brought in to do the job.

Then stop by your local building and code officials office to show them your plans, get a list of licensed contractors, and ask initial questions about your project. They can help point you in the right direction and hook you up with members of the New River Valley Home Builders Association.