10 contractor red flags to watch for

• A lump-sum price with no itemized breakdown.
• A large deposit demand — anything above ~10–15% upfront.
• A "cash only" or "cash discount" push (often means no paper trail or taxes).
• Vague "allowance" or "miscellaneous" lines with no specifics.
• A project-management or overhead fee above 15% of the total.

• No license or proof of insurance (verify both before signing).
• No written contract — only a handshake or a number on a napkin.
• No references, reviews, or past work they'll show you.
• They say permits aren't needed for work that clearly requires them.

• High-pressure "sign today or the price goes up" tactics.
• They bad-mouth every other contractor instead of standing on their own work.
• No clear start date, timeline, or payment schedule.
• They're hard to reach before you've even hired them (it only gets worse after).

One red flag isn't always a dealbreaker — but two or more is your cue to walk. Verify the license, get everything in writing, get other bids, and never pay a large sum before work begins. The right contractor will happily meet all of these.