Haha, flipping a coin might be pushing your luck a bit... I've found combining gut instinct with solid references usually hits the sweet spot. References can be faked too, sure, but it's harder—especially when you actually call around and ask detailed questions.
Good points, but have you ever run into references that seemed solid at first glance, then turned out to be vague or overly generic when you called? I've had a few cases where the initial conversation seemed promising, but digging deeper with specific questions about timelines, materials, or unexpected issues revealed some red flags. Curious if anyone else has a go-to question or two they ask references to really get past the surface-level praise...
I get what you're saying, but honestly, references can be hit or miss no matter how deep you dig. I've found that asking about how the contractor handled unexpected setbacks or mistakes usually gives me a clearer picture than timeline specifics or materials used...
"I've found that asking about how the contractor handled unexpected setbacks or mistakes usually gives me a clearer picture..."
That's true, but honestly, even then you're relying on someone else's perspective. Had one guy praised for handling issues "professionally," but when we worked together, his idea of professional was blaming everyone else... Ever run into something like that?
Yeah, been there myself. Had a contractor once who came highly recommended for being "calm under pressure." Turns out his version of calm was disappearing for days whenever something went sideways. He'd eventually resurface with some vague excuse and a shrug. Learned pretty quick that one person's "laid-back" is another's "totally unreliable"... Guess that's why I trust my gut more than references these days.
