Angie's List Survey Sounds Alarm On Subpar Service
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It's not uncommon to hear homeowners complain about the contractors they've hired.
But, just how many people are having problems?
A new nationwide survey commissioned by Angie's List is sounding the alarm on subpar service.
"In a recent Harris poll we found that 50 percent of homeowners that have recently hired a contractor were not happy or had problems. The interesting part is 30 percent of those either wanted to or did actually fire the contractor they hired," Angie Hicks of Angie's List said.
According to the survey, homeowners were most annoyed by contractors who left messes, contractors who showed up late and contractors who didn't finish the job on time or on budget.
"At Angie's List, our goal is to help consumers find the best possible service. But, what we find is consumers still have low expectations for local service and it's time for that to change. Consumers should really raise the bar on their expectations for the providers they hire," Hicks said.
Angie's List says a contract is one of the best ways to prevent problems before they start. Get all promises in writing and spell out exactly what the contractor will and will not do. Tie payment dates to job completion. And if a problem pops up, don't stay silent.
"When it comes to hiring, be your best advocate. Speak up. Be clear on what your expectations are. Let them know, hey I don't want the mess in my house in the off hours. You know, if you are spending thousands of dollars having your kitchen remodeled, make sure that you have set out a clear plan for how they are going to interact when they are in your home," Hicks said.
When it comes to firing, the survey found men were twice as likely to have fired a contractor as women. Compared to other regions of the country, Midwesterners were the most unlikely group to fire a contractor.
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