Contractor DISASTER | How to Avoid This!!! 

To emphasize what Rebecca already stated: MAKE SURE the contraactor is registered with whatever state agency does the registering. The contractor may have a "Registrar of Contractors" license number painted on trucks and sport the number proudly in ads, but the company may not be currently licensed (more common than you think). However, in my state, being a registered contractor does NOT imply any sort of competence. Here the Registrar of Contractors is a "lean and mean" state agency that exists only to collect money; it does not offer such luxuries as consumer protection. BUT if the contractor isn't licensed, you will have little-to-no legal or insurance recourse if the job is done poorly or not at all. Also, remember that in some states (perhaps all?), if an individual robs an individual of thousands of dollars it is most likely a criminal matter for the police, but if a COMPANY robs an individual of the same amount of money, the robbery is merely a civil dispute and it is entirely the victim's responsibility to sue for justice. In my state, though, don't use the small claims courts, though (they have no enforcement ability) - and besides, the justice of the peace it is political position, and such a justice can be bribed by the contractor (a judge I had, who was related to a long-term congressman, was caught in a federal sting back in the day when the federal government sometimes tried to protect consumers). And if you don't have the money to pay for a GOOD contractor, you don't have the money to waste on a bad one. Knowing what you're risking and your ability to lose money, ask yourself if you REALLY need an extensive job done or if a simple "refresh" with paint, flooring and/or an appliance or two will do.

Excellent advice! My best tip: Get a look at your contractor's truck. ALL contractor trucks are dusty and mud-caked from being on construction sites. You want to look at the truck bed and the cab. Are the tools sorted and organised? A workman is only as good as his tools. If he shows no pride of ownership for his tools, how much pride do you think he will take of his work? Second, an immaculate cab isn't necessary; but if his truck is a rolling garbage can with knee-deep moldering food scraps and slithering piles of crumbled papers, that's a red flag. However the contractor treats the truck, that's how he'll treat your house.

Yes. A valuable lesson that I learned from my Father: when I was in the early stages of interviewing professionals, ask at least 3 questions. And be sure that I knew the answer to the first 2. Then, I could determine if I was getting the ‘straight story’ or some other story. It’s amazing the ‘stories’ that folks have told to get me to sign a contract. Sometimes, it’s lack of knowledge; but, sometimes; it’s a lack of integrity.

You need a standby generator. Especially, if you are in an area where the power goes out often. Would have saved you from having an expensive stay in a hotel. Just sayin'. Great video.

That hotel suite was stunning, but count on Rebecca to make it better! Great information as usual!

Every suite I have stayed in I rearrange the furniture …..I think the designers got it right it’s the housekeeping staff that doesn’t keep it that way. Love your designs!!😊

Great timing! I’m in the middle of going through 3 submitted bids. Project to fully renovate 2 levels old house with 2 new attached additions. Let me tell you, my head is completely spinning revising details of the work scale, adding, canceling, and fine tuning to the smallest detail. Won’t choose and sign till everything is covered and all are on the same page. Will add a daily past due fee on the contract just so they can take it seriously. This will be deducted from the last %15 payment. I’m solo and the amount of pressure is tremendous. Good thing I’m not in a hurry which allows me breaks here and there. Thank you for the video.

I'm learning a lot from watching your videos. I moved a big chair around my livingroom and it changed the whole look of the room. I watched your video on symmetry and wella what a difference. Thank you.

Always remember this!!! Builders and Contractors have a license to steal!!!!!!! I have seen it all! From ordering too much lumber and once it arrives on the job, slowly alot of it gets moved somewhere else. Same with bricks and dry wall.. I have seen things you would not believe... Beware of everything or maybe have a project manager that is experienced and you know very well!!!! Good luck 🤞

This is such a great video! 👏 Good Contractors can be hard to find and I never thought about looking into contractors that are experienced in specific types of building/projects. Advise I'll be keeping in my pocket for later projects! Thanks for sharing ❤

OMG what a fabulous video! Thank you so much for doing it. Can you also do a video on when you need to hire the decorator to work with the contractor and how that whole process works?

Leave it to Rebecca to redesign her hotel suit! That's my girl!😂.

This is one of the most informative videos I’ve watched on RU-vid!!! You are great!!!

Barn none the best advice ever! My beautiful, 78-year-old mother is going through a nightmare of having to interview one contractor after another who gets started and then doesn't finish the job for a renovation from my grandparents home once they passed. I can't tell you the level of frustration that it has caused her. So wish we could've started off so much differently for her. It really has been hard. It's also in a small town so the level of expertise is somewhat limited.

My husband laughs at me for moving furniture in hotels rooms, so I love that you do it too. 😂

This reminds me of how I found the color I wanted for my front door. I tried it seemed forever to find the dark cranberry color I wanted. Finally I saw it on a house in a new subdivision near a friend’s neighborhood. I told my husband to stop at that house, and he looked mortified as I got out and rang their doorbell. The homeowner was very friendly and told me the color brand and name no problem and we chatted a while about new home building. That’s how I got the front door color I wanted. Don’t be afraid to stop and ask. Most people are happy to help and are even flattered that you like their taste in whatever design feature you are inquiring about. My hubby started calling me No Fear after that lol.

Great list. I did design sessions for 2 years and it was great and learnt a lot.

Wow!! Rebeka! You can sing!! Beautiful voice!

Rebecca this was the hardest video for me to watch. But sickly I watched. It makes no sense to me that a person would not want to give you their very best when they have been hired at the price they agreed upon. I came in contact with a contractor like the people you are describing. I would never recommend him. But my father was an Amazing wonderful contractor. He passed away. Trust me... Everyone should adhere to your warnings.

The wallpaper behind you…❤ I need a small amount of that in my life!

Rebecca this is excellent advice because there are people who had work done and had many problems.

Good morning still up and best advice ever....🙏🙏🙏🙏

This is such valuable information Rebecca! Of course, I consider all of your advice valuable, but this one in particular matters to me, as I will likely be looking for a contractor soon. I’m loving these videos!

Furniture placement... When you did that I could see the difference. Thank you Rebecca.

Glad you are safe. The weather has been insane.

Listen to Rebecca! I live in a nice apt community. About 8-10 wks ago these guys came in like gangbusters. They worked from 7am-8pm. Very organized, cleaned up at the end of the day. Fast forward to now they hv only 2 buildings remaining. Each building is the size of a fairly large home. W/2 bldging remaining, they have equipment everywhere. Two GIANT construction dumpsters taking up about 25 parking spaces, on the other side they've left pallets of shingles taking up another 10 spaces. Their heavy equipment is taking up even more spaces. These spaces are all directly in front of buildings. There are unused parking spaces that aren't an eyesore for tenants. The icing on the cake they disappear for 4 days. Day 5 a few guys show up day 6 a few more, still not a complete crew. I threw a fit about the dumpster that had sat in front of my apt for 4 wks. They moved it yesterday. But they still aren't done w/the 2 measly bldgs. My guess is they'd contracted to start another job on a certain day but weren't finished w/this one. WTH leaves a jobsite 96% finished? I'm assuming they'd gotten pd the bulk of their $$$, wanted to get the 35% for starting a new job. So they bailed on us. Whether it was mgmt agreed w/this or not idk. But not a good look. When I complained I said "would this be allowed at someone's home?" The answer is no. Get everything in writing. Yes weather happens but we've had ☀️ everyday. No excuses.

Totally disagree with the payment schedule. Do a progress payment…down payment, demo, p&e rough in, delivery of tile or appliances or cabinets, all the major milestones…for larger projects you could have 15 or more payments, but you’re paying as you’re seeing the work done. And asking for contractor to have a 15% final payment when you’ve moved back into and are using the space? You don’t do that when you buy a new home! And if you have that big of a punch list…you’ve got bigger problems! A contractor is fortunate to make 8-10% profit on a job…

Excellent! Like everything you do. We Love you Rebecca Robeson. I can't wait for CHRISTMAS 🎄 decorations this year.

This is an awesome video! Great tips and insights for free! Thank you, Rebecca!

❤ This is so true. Ask questions ,get those references. We just came off 11 months of a water leak that damaged 6 rooms. Get those permits you need them when you sell. Thank you, great info!

You looked really cute today in your outfit. Love the big dots on your skirt. You always have the best advise. Thank you for all your tips.

Hi Rebecca great video thank you for telling us everything we have to do when hiring a contractor. God bless and have a blessed weekend you and your family.

Wonderful advice. I always learn new and something good from Rebecca. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge.

Great video Rebecca , so true about the contractors . The whole job is only as good as the finish….. 👍🇬🇧

Invaluable info. Great video, and yes-the room looked better and more user-friendly

Wonderful content. You look phenomenal. That outfit and how it looks on you is just WOW

So glad you made this video!

The designs in this room at the hotel fit you like a glove! Beautiful place!

😂 I just had a vacation a month ago where I rearranged the furniture in the living room! I couldn’t take the seemingly few oddities while I was there. It gave me peace for the rest of my stay. Loved seeing you do that!

Great video with some topics I haven’t seen addressed in other videos/articles about hiring a contractor.

Lol!!😂😂😂😂 at the Hyatt, I would have moved that furniture around in minutes of the bellhop or butler leaving the suite 😂😂. Nice job 👍🏻 👏🏻 👌🏼 😀

Rebecca I love all your videos but this one in particular was blasting with so much valuable information thank you 👍

Thank you for your tips! Taking notes to use.

Excellent, Rebecca!!

So much great information!!! I love how you demonstrated furniture placement!!!

REBECCA YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! I am in love with your humour and how super talented you are. Luv from Oz.

Anytime we asked someone we knew if they could recommend their contractor it was a nightmare!

This was a great video to give me ideas for what I will need when the time comes.

Excellent topic with great tips! This is priceless information coming from a veteran designer. Kudos to your stylist. The outfit with the black polka dot skirt is super cute. Thank you for sharing this.

As always, great video Rebecca, thank you! Please don't be shy, next time you have a little power outage you can head to Orlando, I'll be more than happy to accommodate you in my guest bedroom, ah and before I forget you have carte blanche to move things around to make my house fabulous😊!

Thank you, Rebecca those are advice!

Thank you for this video. I have this to my phone for when I need to review for projects

Haha can’t help but think wayyy back to the first time Rebecca rearranged a Hilton hotel room….

Thank you, Rebecca!!! Great tips, as always:)

Thank you! So useful. 🌟

Great advice!

Thank you for this video It was very useful as my husband and I are looking to hire a contractor to make some updates to our home and this video was very informative.

Again, luv, luv your top!! Also, thanks for sharing what's like to consider if you want to move to Tulsa 😉

Great information and you’re funny with the rearranged furniture

Thank you! Very useful info.

Remember to include: make sure they work on your project from beginning to end nonstop. I can't stand when a contractor starts a job and stops your project, and begins to work on someone else's project. That's bad business.

Great info! Beautiful hotel too!

Great information ❤❤❤❤

Going thru this process now- Never heard of a punch list- thank you!!!! Also…. *Rebecca moving furniture in the hotel 🤣 I love it.

Can’t wait!❤

Thank you! I’m a year we want to build an ADU over whelming. So sorry for everyone that had their home belongings destroyed. Such crazy weather all over the country.🙏❤️

Of course, Rebecca has to rearrange the furniture in her room! I wonder if they had pieces really spread out to make it easier for housekeeping. Finished a reno last year. Third time was the charm in finding ours. They handled a bad situation (crapy carpentry) with grace and had it redone quickly. At the end, no punch list was reviewed but the issues were minor, we completed them ourselves and kept the last payment. FYI our insurance company will not cover damage if a reno didn't have the proper city permits e.g. plumbing, electrical, +/or structural engineering report. For future renos, we took down the contact info for the subcontracted out trades people we enjoyed having worked on our house - job well done, timely, reliable etc.

Becky! Wonderful videos as usual! I was wondering where can we upload our photos? I don’t know if you already mentioned and maybe I missed it taking notes of everything you said. As always your fan number one!

Excellent information

Great information on selecting a contractor.

I love the fact that every time she stayed at a place, she always did something to make it better and functional. They should hire you Rebecca😍❤

This is such valuable information. It could have saved me a lot of grief.

Thank you, Rebecca! This is great information! #designsessions

Well Done!! I will be referencing this when I need to find a contractor. Loved the commentary about furniture placement at the end of the video. I think you should be on their Board of Directors! LOL

From my experience, hire a contractor like you hire a good doctor. Check reviews, get others to give referrals and ask why they say he’s good. Available, callback, any past problems, any past lawsuits. License and insured, who will be doing the work, people who works with them, pictures where you go see his work and talk to the person. Make sure they are not his relatives or friends homes, and cost of materials.

Excellent advice! And I have actually stayed at that hotel👍

This video was so informative, great job. By the way, you look so beautiful!

😂😂😂Robecca, you are something else, you have decorated and rearranged the hotel furniture. You make everything look fabulous 👌 👏 😅

Punch list in England ,we call it snagging list .

You are the best!

I work for a tile & flooring company & almost EVERY customer asks how to find a good contractor.

I wish I saw this before hiring a contractor who literally took all I saved and didn't deliver as expected. All contractors in my area asked for 50 percent upfront as soon as the first day of work. The contractor did a terrible job and every two days would ask for another 25 percent. They took their full amount even though the job was terrible. The walls were not prepped right and were splotchy and full of dents, uneven. They are also a young company. The insulation also looks to be less than correct. They chose very cheap materials and things we did not like and asked for more if we wanted it changed to our preference. It was a total disaster. But in my area, there aren't many contractors and they all have a terrible reputation. It is so hard to find one that will actually come and follow up.

I like this video. Here is the perspective of a contractor’s wife. This is what I hear now and then…a customer’s new room is all framed, then they say “I want you to move that wall 6 inches to the right”. He will explain that he will happily do that but it will affect the final cost as an extra. Then, they change their mind on the sinks and faucets after they are installed. Again comes the extra cost conversation. They have not picked out the drawer hardware or the molding for the base for example. When it is all complete they act surprised at how long it took and that it cost more than the original bid!!! Duh people, are the delays and cost increase the contractor’s fault or your own? Most of our customers are very happy and often end up being long time friends but boy, I’ve heard it all so, it goes both ways.

So true, if you don’t trust your contractor it’s hard, but mine was my husband, LOL. We have had argument over what I wanted and what he thought it should be but we worked it out…

❤❤❤ You Rock, Boss Lady!

Amazing video, super helpful tips! Absolutely love your shoes in the hotel suite tour - I'm guessing those aren't Cabi - what are they?!

Wonderful your vlog and you👍👍👏👏👏💯💯💯🎉👍👏👏👏 Amazing

Outfit reveal goddess of designs.

Oh Rebecca, as an retired designer, I worked over 30 years, everything you said is absolutely true!

I really need some help.... How do I find a Designer? Someone that will work with a contractor to make this process of an insurrance claim restoration much smoother plus getting a contractor to do some extra projects I would like done to make my home more liveable. Someone who can help me decide what I can afford financially and would take the bull by the horns to see to it is completed. And lastly, how much should I expect to pay a designer ? Thanks Rebecca for this great video....

I would ask for five references and call them. Anyone can name "3" friends or coworkers who pretend to be former clients. Most professional and good contractors are able to provide five references while the phonies will have trouble and may ask for time to get those "references".

The tips are great but the light being in the middle..uhm wouldn't you see the lights in the tv when you are watching tv?

Hi great video glad your ok how did you daughter get on with her house??

So wish I would have seen this before redoing our house😔. Ours turned out to be the worst.

Generac, gurrrl!

What are the resin valves?

Hola me gustaría ver un proyecto nuevo saludos desde México

Great video but I have a question as an interior designer after A consultation do I bring 3 different contractors to the site in order to get a bid?

🇬🇧I’m 18 months out from my reno - but looking for a contractor starting from when I move to the new house 🏡 #sixweekstomove 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

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