"keeping a small portion of payment back until each stage passes inspection or meets your approval can save headaches down the line."
Definitely agree with this—but it's worth mentioning that you should clearly define what "approval" means upfront. I've seen situations where homeowners and contractors had totally different ideas of what's acceptable. A quick walkthrough together after each stage, noting any issues or corrections needed, can really smooth things out later on...
Yeah, clear expectations are key. I've found it helps to jot down specifics like timelines or materials beforehand—avoids awkward "but I thought..." moments later. Ever had a contractor push back on that though? Curious how others handle it.
I've definitely had contractors push back a bit, especially when I got super detailed about timelines and materials. One guy even joked I was writing him a novel instead of a contract... But honestly, once they saw it wasn't about micromanaging but just clarity, most were fine with it. If someone really resists specifics, that's usually a red flag for me—better to find out early than halfway through the job.
"If someone really resists specifics, that's usually a red flag for me—better to find out early than halfway through the job."
I get what you're saying about specifics being important, but honestly, I've seen some great contractors who just aren't paperwork people. One roofer I worked with was amazing at his craft but got super overwhelmed when clients handed him detailed breakdowns of every little thing. It wasn't that he was shady or anything; he just preferred talking things out face-to-face and keeping it simple.
Maybe instead of seeing resistance as a red flag right away, you could try breaking down your expectations into smaller chunks? Like, first agree on overall timelines and materials broadly, then gradually introduce more detailed specifics once trust is established. I've found that approach helps keep everyone comfortable and avoids overwhelming folks who aren't naturally detail-oriented. Just my two cents from what I've seen on the job...
Totally agree that some contractors aren't into paperwork—my electrician was like that. Great guy, knew his stuff inside out, but ask him for a detailed list and he'd freeze up. I ended up just chatting through each stage with him and paying in phases as we went along. Worked out fine, honestly... but I made sure to confirm key stuff via text or email just to have a record.
