How Do I Find Contractors I Can Actually Trust?

How Do I Find Contractors I Can Actually Trust?

(Because bad contractors are more expensive than bad tile choices.)

Look…
If you’ve been losing sleep wondering:
“How do I find a contractor who won’t ghost me, rob me blind, or install kitchen cabinets upside down?”

You’re asking the right question.

Because here’s the truth:
✅ A good contractor can make your flip smooth and profitable.
❌ A bad contractor can tank your budget, your timeline, and your sanity.

Step 1: Where Do Good Contractors Actually Hide?

Finding a contractor you can trust isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing where to look.

🔍 Start with Referrals

✔️ Other investors
✔️ Realtors who work with flippers
✔️ Property managers
✔️ Your local real estate investor groups

→ Pro tip: The best contractors often don’t advertise—they stay busy through word of mouth.

🏗 Check Job Sites

→ See a house under construction in your target neighborhood?
✔️ Stop and ask, “Who’s the GC here?”
✔️ Take photos of job site signs.

Good contractors are working. Bad ones are…on Craigslist. (Mostly.)

💻 Facebook Groups + Online Communities

✔ Local real estate investor Facebook groups
✔ Neighborhood groups (Nextdoor, etc.)
✔ Search: “Contractors for hire + [Your City]”

→ Warning: These are hit or miss. Check reviews, ask for photos, verify references.

🛠 Material Suppliers Know the Real Ones

→ Walk into the local tile store, lumber yard, or cabinet shop.
Ask: “Who’s reliable? Who pays their bills? Who’s always here picking up materials?”

Step 2: Red Flags to Watch for Immediately

🚩 “Yeah, I can start tomorrow.”
→ If they’re not busy…ask why.

🚩 Super vague on pricing.
→ “Ahh, we’ll figure it out as we go.” (Run.)

🚩 No written contract or scope.
→ If it’s not on paper, it doesn’t exist.

🚩 Weird payment terms.
→ Demands more than 50% upfront = 🚩🚩🚩

🚩 Bad job site etiquette.
→ Trash everywhere, no safety, late every day...it’s a preview of your project.

Step 3: The 3-Question Vetting Process (REAP Tested & Approved)

When we teach this in our Navigator program, we tell students to ask these every single time:

1. “What projects are you working on right now?”

→ A good contractor is busy—but not too busy to communicate.
→ Ask to see photos or walk a current job site.

2. “Can you show me before-and-after photos of recent jobs?”

→ If they have none...that’s the answer.

3. “Can you give me two recent investor references?”

→ Not from five years ago. Recent.
→ And don’t skip the call—talk to the references. Ask:

• Did they show up on time?
• Was the price fair?
• Did they stick to the scope?
• Any surprises?

Step 4: Set Expectations From Day One

→ Clear Scope of Work:
Room by room. Item by item. “Make it look nice” is not a scope.

→ Written Contract:
✔ Start date, end date
✔ Payment schedule tied to milestones
✔ Warranty info

→ Walk the Job Frequently:
✔ Walk it at least 2–3 times per week.
✔ Check progress, ask questions, and confirm what’s next.

→ Clear Communication Channel:
✔ Text, phone, or app—whatever works.
✔ No disappearing acts.

Final Thought: Trust Is Earned—Not Assumed

A good contractor relationship is gold. But it starts with you leading the process like a boss.

✔ Set expectations.
✔ Communicate clearly.
✔ Hire slow, fire fast if needed.

This isn’t just about construction—it’s about protecting your profit, your timeline, and your peace of mind.

Ready to Flip Without the Guesswork?

✅ Join a REAP free class
✅ Start with Flip Starter Pro ($97)
✅ Or go deeper with Blueprint or Navigator mentorship

Dad Joke Bonus

👉 Parallel lines have so much in common.
It’s a shame they’ll never meet.