Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips and Traps) [Paperback]

R. Dodge Woodson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tips and Traps | Publication Date: April 6, 2005

Don't get ripped off when hiring a contractor! Do get the results you want, at a fair price! You can avoid being a victim of unscrupulous contractors with this homeowner-empowering guide from one of the most respected figures in construction. R. Dodge Woodson, a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many books in the field, makes it simple to learn: how to sort the competent professionals from the con artists who want your business; how to get the best possible deal on the work you want done; and, how to work successfully with contractors through every stage, from planning to final payment. In addition, by using the insider's information in this book, you can make expert decisions on quality, materials, and costs. Packed with features designed to make it easy for homeowners to use, this guide helps you: screen and hire honest, skilled home improvement professionals; spot and eliminate 'bad apples' before you sign anything; make the bidding process work for you; negotiate effectively; get all the necessary details in writing; estimate costs, with easy-to-use charts on labor and materials; understand plans and specifications; choose materials to be used in your addition, remodeling job, or maintenance project; understand the tradeoffs in site, design, planning, and maintenance options; make sound on-the-spot decisions; keep your contractor on the straight and narrow - on time and on budget; and, create a punch list. It is filled with dollar saving tools for the homeowner. Sample checklists, forms, and contracts make it easier to handle every aspect of your home improvement projects. Highlighted tips and traps help you avoid money pits. Even if you have no prior experience with construction, remodeling, or professional home maintenance, this book can help you get your jobs done right - at the right cost!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

DON'T GET RIPPED OFF WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR! DO GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT, AT A FAIR PRICE!

You can avoid being a victim of unscrupulous contractors with this homeowner-empowering guide from one of the most respected figures in construction. R. Dodge Woodson, a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many books in the field, makes it simple to learn how to sort the competent professionals from the con artists who want your business; how to get the best possible deal on the work you want done; and how to work successfully with contractors through every stage, from planning to final payment

In addition, by using the insider's information in this book, you can make expert decisions on quality, materials, and costs. Packed with features designed to make it easy for homeowners to use, this guide helps you--

• Screen and hire honest, skilled home improvement professionals
• Spot and eliminate "bad apples" BEFORE you sign anything
• Make the bidding process work for you
• Negotiate effectively
• Get all the necessary details in writing
• Estimate costs, with easy-to-use charts on labor and materials
• Understand plans and specifications
• Choose materials to be used in your addition, remodeling job, or maintenance project
• Understand the tradeoffs in site, design, planning, and maintenance options
• Make sound on-the-spot decisions
• Keep your contractor on the straight and narrow -- on time and on budget
• Create a punch list

FILLED WITH DOLLAR SAVING TOOLS FOR THE HOMEOWNER
Sample checklists, forms, and contracts make it easier to handle every aspect of your home improvement projects. Highlighted tips and traps help you avoid money pits. Even if you have no prior experience with construction, remodeling, or professional home maintenance, this book can help you get your jobs done right -- at the right cost!

About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson is a licensed Class A Builder and Master Plumber with almost three decades' experience in the construction field. He also holds the real estate license Designated Broker, the highest classification of professional real estate licensure available. Mr. Woodson is the president and owner of Expert Realty Services, Inc., and also of The Masters Group, Inc. He bought his first piece of land in 1974 and has been a progressive land developer in Virginia and Maine for the last 29 years. He lives in Brunswick, Maine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (April 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071445846
• ISBN-13: 978-0071445849
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,236,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson (Brunswick, ME) has over 20 years' experience as a home builder, contractor, master plumber, and real estate broker. He is the author of many McGraw-Hill books, including Be A Successful Building Contractor 2/e, and National Plumbing Codes Handbook 2/e.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before remodeling your home!, February 3, 2006

By 

Patty Apostolides "Author" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips and Traps) (Paperback)

I'm so glad I got a chance to read this informative book before starting the renovation of our home!

The author is clearly an expert in this field and goes into detail in every aspect of the process, with the bottom line of making the consumer a savvy, discerning shopper. The author covers all angles of the contracting process, from making the plans and specifications, to hiring a contractor, to what forms are needed to be filled out. I learned about how to spot a shady contractor; how to get things in writing - especially specific time frames; how to make sure the contractor has a physical address and telephone number, and much, much, more.

The eye-opener of this book was the lien waiver. Unbeknownst to me, if a disagreement occurs with a contractor, and I do not pay, they can place a lien on the property! The lien waiver releases the property from the threat of a lien. The author has a sample copy of what a lien waiver looks like.

This book is a must for any homeowner thinking of remodeling/renovating their home! I recommend it highly.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to handling contractors, June 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips and Traps) (Paperback)

Avoid falling prey to unscrupulous contractors with a guide authored by a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many other titles on the topic. Tips & Traps For Hiring A Contractor: Expert Advice On Hiring A Contractor Without Getting Taken covers all the basics, from the initial screening of home-improvement professionals to eliminating the bad ones before signing anything, negotiating effectively, understanding contracts and agreements, and even understanding design, planning and maintenance options. An excellent guide to handling contractors, no matter what the job.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read, December 28, 2011

By 

D. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tips ; Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips and Traps) (Paperback)

This is actually a pretty good book. It is a quick read and the author has a good writing style that makes it a fun read. Now the book essentially is geared towards being your own general contractor vs hiring one, and also major remodels.That isn't the major takeaway from the book, however; that being said if you do even half of the things he tells you to do I think you would be much safer with any contract work even if you decide to be your own general or not. Author does a great job explaining how they could/would screw you over and how to stop them from screwing you over before they even set foot in your house. It really isn't a "every contractor will screw you" kind of book. It just provides some solid material to help you spot it when they try it and what to do to minimize the butt hurt on your wallet. Worth the money. Hit the "add to cart" button. You won't regret it. Look at it this way, if you do only one thing on the dudes list you will save the 10 bucks the book costs.