How to Spot a Bad Contractor Before You Hire Them

By Mike Smego | Smego Construction

Finding the right contractor is one of the most important decisions a homeowner makes. The wrong one can cost you thousands, leave your home in worse shape than when they started, and disappear before the job is done.

The good news is that most bad contractors show their hand early — if you know what to look for. Here is what Mike Smego and the team at Smego Construction want every homeowner to know before signing a contract.

They Cannot Provide Proof of License and Insurance

This is the first and most important thing to verify. In Pennsylvania, contractors performing home improvement work are required to be registered with the Attorney General's office under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Always ask for their registration number and verify it. General contractors should also carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

If a contractor hesitates, makes excuses, or tells you insurance is not necessary for a small job — walk away. If something goes wrong on an uninsured job, the liability falls to you.

They Pressure You to Decide Immediately

High-pressure sales tactics have no place in a legitimate contracting relationship. If a contractor tells you the price is only good today, or that you need to sign right now or lose your spot, they are using a sales technique — not giving you a fair estimate.

Good contractors are busy. They understand that homeowners need time to compare bids and make informed decisions. They don't pressure. They present their work and let it speak for itself.

The Estimate Is Vague

Any legitimate contractor should provide a written, itemized estimate. If you receive a number on a napkin, a text message quote, or a verbal promise with nothing in writing, you have no protection if the scope or price changes mid-project.

A proper estimate includes the scope of work, specific materials (brand, grade, and quantity), a project timeline, a payment schedule, and what happens if unexpected issues arise.

They Have No Online Presence or Reviews

In 2025, every working contractor should have some form of verifiable reputation online. Look for Google reviews, a Facebook business page, or a company website. Check the Better Business Bureau. Ask for references and actually call them.

A contractor who cannot point you to a single satisfied customer is a contractor you should not hire.

They Want to Skip the Permit

If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to save time or money, consider it a serious warning sign. Permits exist to protect homeowners. Permitted work is inspected by a third party — someone whose job is to make sure the work meets code and is safe.

Unpermitted work can result in fines, required removal of the work, and complications when selling your home. A contractor who suggests skipping permits is either cutting corners or operating outside the law — neither of which is acceptable.

What Good Looks Like

At Smego Construction, we are fully licensed and insured. We pull permits when required. We answer your questions directly and without pressure. We show up when we say we will, and we clean up when we leave.

That is not a high bar. It is simply the standard every homeowner deserves.