Regardless of economic conditions, it seems that good contractors are difficult to find.

This is true for large kitchen remodeling projects as well as small carpentry work and many projects in between. Good, reputable contractors are scheduling jobs months ahead of time or turning away work. Consumers are left searching high and low for someone to complete their projects.

It can be a frustrating time. The easiest solution would be to take a gamble and perhaps even lower your expectations. What’s wrong with jumping at the chance to hire a contractor who stops by your house looking for work?

That type of thinking, however, can lead to trouble. This is the perfect environment for unscrupulous contractors who try to take advantage of consumers. Here are several warning signs:

1.       He arrives at your door uninvited and says he is “doing work in the neighborhood.” He will offer to pave your driveway, clean gutters or replace a roof. The only catch is that his “special price” is only good for that day and he will only accept cash. This is a popular scheme by contractors who prey on the elderly.

He likely will provide substandard work or leave without completing the project. As you’ve already paid him in cash you will have little recourse when the driveway cracks or the roof leaks.

2.       He asks for a large deposit before the work begins. A reputable contractor can  order supplies and schedule workers without requiring money from you. While it is reasonable to pay a small deposit -- 10 to 20 percent depending on the scope of the work -- beware of someone who asks for more.  The exception is for projects where you are ordering specialty materials or other products that have to be paid for upon delivery. In that case, you should receive detailed receipts from the contractor and, in some cases, be able to pay the suppliers directly.

Contractors who ask for large deposits often have trouble managing their business expenses. They may use one person’s deposit to fund other projects, mix several project funds together or use money meant for supplies to fund personal expenses instead.

3.       He has no business address or telephone number. Contractors who operate strictly from pagers and post office boxes can be difficult to track down later, should a problem arise. Ask yourself why the contractor doesn’t have a legitimate place of business. Even if he operates a small business from home, he should be willing to give you that address and phone number.

4.       His estimate is vague and/or he refuses to put a price in writing. Would you buy a car without knowing how much it cost and what was included? A contractor should know what materials and labor cost are and what he will charge for his services. If he doesn’t, then how well will he manage your project? How will he determine your final costs? What guarantee will you have that the cost will be fair and within your budget?

Also, a contract should be in writing. Otherwise you are putting yourself in a precarious position, as oral contracts are difficult to enforce.

5.       He refuses to give you references. References often are your only avenue for verifying the quality of a contractor’s work. Don’t accept his photo album showing previous projects. Insist on inspecting a job site or at least talking to several previous customers to determine their level of satisfaction.

6.       He says insurance is not necessary. A reputable contractor will be willing to show you proof of insurance to cover his company’s liability while on your property and to cover injuries to himself and any employees or subcontractors. Otherwise you risk exposing yourself and your home owner’s insurance to any claims.

7.       He refuses to seek necessary permits or asks you to take them out in your name. By allowing a contractor to start work without a permit, you are exposing yourself to problems with zoning laws and opening the door to other legal issues. Your municipality could stop work on the project, impose fines or force you to tear down the project.