Overpromise and Under-deliver (6 Tips on Hiring the Right Contractor)

It may seem biased for a contractor to offer tips on how to hire a good one, so let’s clear the air—we do consider ourselves a reputable contractor. However, we understand that we may not be the right fit for everyone, be it pricing, location, or perhaps some might not appreciate our unique advertising style featuring half-nude models showering. (which works by the way)

Additionally, as a London-based contractor, we know the city is bustling—and with that comes intense competition. It's packed with builders, contractors, self-proclaimed experts, and tradespeople of all kinds, making it overwhelming when you're trying to find the right one to hire. That’s why, dear reader, we’re sharing some key red flags to watch out for when choosing a contractor.

This could be you - When we Install a new bathroom.

1. Language

Before considering any other aspect of hiring a contractor, the number one factor should be clear and simple: communication. It can be tempting to hire someone who has recently arrived in the UK (or anywhere else) for a fresh start and a better life. However, if they aren't familiar with the ways of doing things around here, reliable suppliers, or the best places to source materials, it can lead to challenges.

Most importantly, as we’ve seen from experience, communicating tasks effectively when there’s a significant language barrier can be nearly impossible. Often, something gets lost in translation, which can end up costing you not just money, but time and effort as well.

While it may seem appealing to hire someone who doesn't speak your language—often because the price is lower—you’re better off working with someone who can fully understand your needs. Explaining maintenance or building issues is complicated enough, and there’s already a difference in the "language" spoken between customers and builders when it comes to technical work and jargon.

A lack of language skills can also be a red flag for inexperience. Someone new to the area may take on jobs outside their comfort zone to make a quick buck, potentially leaving you with subpar work.

2. Appearance

It goes without saying that appearance and personal hygiene make a big difference, whether you’re at a restaurant, beauty salon, or among friends and family. Have you ever gotten a haircut from a barber with a bad haircut? Some of us at Tom Harvey have, and as you can imagine, the outcome wasn’t great.

The same applies to builders and contractors. Appearance can tell you a lot about the quality of service you’re likely to receive. If your contractor shows up looking sloppy and unkempt, chances are the work will reflect that. Now, don’t get us wrong—builders get dirty; it’s part of the job. Painters will often have paint splatters on their clothes, and that’s to be expected. But we’re talking about a lack of care—ripped, stained clothing that’s clearly not from just one day’s work, or outfits unsuitable for construction, ignoring basic safety standards.

A professional, self-respecting builder invests in proper workwear—like durable trousers with plenty of pockets. If they take pride in their work, you might even see them in a branded shirt or hoodie with their company logo. These small details are good signs you’ve found a reliable builder. However, be cautious. If your builder shows up in Prada shoes, a crisp Armani T-shirt, and a gold watch, you might have come across someone who is a part-time pimp, more interested in looking the part than doing the work. In that case, avoid.

In summary: Your builder should look presentable, wearing practical, relatively clean clothing. Bonus points if they’re in a uniform or proper safety gear—this shows they take their job seriously.

All of our contractors wear our branded Tom Harvey T-shirts. They are also great way to attract customers on the streets.

3. Tools

This is often an overlooked detail, but it's actually one that builders frequently use to assess each other's quality of work—and we’re giving away a trade secret here!

Anyone can buy a box of basic tools for under £50 and look the part of a builder, so it’s important to pay attention to the signs. While it might feel awkward to ask to see a contractor's tools, try to notice what kind of tool bag they have and how organized and well-maintained their equipment is. Skilled builders invest thousands in high-quality tools from reputable brands like Makita, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and DeWalt. If you don’t see any of these brands, there’s a chance the contractor may be new to the trade, using DIY-grade tools rather than professional ones.

In the industry, it’s well-known that good tools lead to faster, higher-quality results. They’re also a status symbol and a strong indicator of the level of service you can expect from the builder.

In summary: Make sure your builder is equipped with professional-grade tools to ensure the job is done right.

4. Desperation

This point is a bit controversial, as sometimes work simply dries up—whether due to events like COVID, economic downturns, or the slow winter season. It’s normal for builders, whether they’re part of a company or self-employed, to feel stressed about a lack of work, as that means a lack of income.

However, there are ways to gauge a contractor’s level of desperation. It’s well known that good builders are rarely short of work—they’re typically busy and booked out weeks or even months in advance. So, one red flag is immediate availability. If the contractor you're considering is widely available, it could be a sign that they’re not highly in demand and that customers may not be eager to use their services. Of course, this isn't always the case. For example, companies like ours have a pool of contractors and, depending on the time of year, we might be able to offer next-day or even same-day service if there’s an opening. Similarly, we may shift things around to accommodate larger projects, as it’s just the nature of business to prioritize higher-paying jobs.

Another warning sign is if the contractor is overly pushy, constantly asking if you're ready to proceed. This can indicate they’re desperate for money and willing to take on any job at any price just to keep things afloat. While we all want to support those in tough situations, this often leads to problems. Desperate contractors may overbook themselves for the sake of cash flow, resulting in delays, use of lower-quality materials, and ultimately, poor-quality work.

In summary: If a contractor is immediately available, is overly eager to start, or keeps dropping their price to secure the job, you may end up with subpar work and the frustration of chasing them for completion.

5. YES-MAN (or Women)

This is a continuation of the earlier point about desperation. When times are tough, contractors may resort to desperate measures, and unfortunately, this often leads to poor-quality work. A lack of ability or knowledge in marketing themselves can also push contractors to take on jobs they’re not suited for.

Having been in the industry for years, we’ve seen it all. In local Facebook resident groups, you'll often find hundreds of builders scrambling for attention whenever someone asks, "Can anyone recommend a reputable handyman?" These contractors flood the post, all desperate to win the job, leading to a bidding war over price, speed, and availability. We also advertise on Facebook, but we let our branding speak for itself. We've invested thousands of pounds and countless hours into our branding to build the reputation we have today. However, this often means we get badmouthed by competitors or potential clients who feel our pricing is too high.

The problem is, many contractors will say "yes" to everything just to tell you what you want to hear. This is a major red flag. In the real world, especially in construction, nothing is as straightforward as it seems. A reliable builder will give you a few "no’s" along the way, with solid explanations as to why something can’t or shouldn’t be done.

In summary: If a builder sounds too good to be true, they probably are. They may be more focused on getting your money than delivering quality work. Avoid these types and look for someone who comes across as trustworthy and honest, even if they push back on certain things.

6. Price

This is one of our favorite topics to discuss with clients, especially in a competitive market like London where it's crucial to understand the value of what you’re paying for. We all love a bargain—who wouldn’t want to save some hard-earned cash to spend on something else? But here's the reality: you get what you pay for.

While it sounds simple, the price you pay often determines the quality of service you’ll receive. All the aspects we’ve covered—clothing, tools, appearance—are indicators of how much a contractor might charge and the level of service you can expect. That said, we want to clarify that “expensive” doesn’t always mean “better.” Sometimes, a contractor may overestimate their abilities and charge an arm and a leg for work that’s worth far less.

So why is good-quality work more expensive? Beyond just tools, uniforms, and maintaining a professional appearance, there are many costs that good builders incur. For example, a van—which requires maintenance, fuel, road tax, and parking (especially expensive in London)—not to mention the congestion charge and ULEZ fees that forced many of us to upgrade to newer vehicles. On top of mobility costs, there are phone bills, materials, taxes, parking fines (which can be hard to avoid), and that’s just scratching the surface.

At a company like ours, we also have additional expenses like VAT, corporate tax, office costs, company vehicles, computers, phones, internet, staff salaries, advertising, software (for quoting and invoicing), and much more. These costs contribute to our pricing but also provide you with peace of mind. Your property is in the hands of a team of skilled contractors, carefully selected and paid fairly to ensure top-quality work.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to contractors who aren’t passionate about their work and are only in it because they feel they have to be, or because it seems like easy money.

In summary: Builders who don’t follow these practices are almost certain to deliver poor-quality work. Low prices often mean desperate measures. While our pricing may not be for everyone, we understand that some people prefer not to pay for the “extras” that come with working with a professional company. If that’s the case, aim for a contractor who is friendly, presentable, and at least mid-range in price if you want to avoid a nightmare experience. Choosing the cheapest option might end up costing you double in the long run.

Inexperienced builders who lack proper knowledge of the trade and pricing can ruin it for everyone by setting unrealistic price expectations for customers.

We hope this gives you valuable insight into what to look for when hiring a builder. Please be cautious, as there are many unscrupulous contractors who may try to scam you, either by offering unreliable, poor-quality service or failing to show up altogether.

If you need assistance with maintenance or have been considering a property refurbishment, we would be happy to provide you with a quote or answer any questions you may have.