• smackjack@lemmy.world
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    29 days ago

    Don’t let any contractors into your house until you’ve lived there for at least a few months, and learn how to recognize high pressure sales pitches from them. They’ll take advantage of you if you don’t. Always get more than one quote. If you’re as much as tell them you’re getting multiple quotes, they’ll start lowering their prices pretty dramatically.

    Examples of high pressure sales tactics:

    They’ll insist that your spouse be home during the demonstration. That’s red flag number one.

    They’ll go to get something from their car, and Ithey’ll ask if it’s okay for them to let themselves back in. Most homeowners don’t think anything of this, but this is actually a psychological trick. The idea is that you wouldn’t allow someone to let themselves into your house unless you trusted them, and if you trust them, you’re much more likely to do business with them.

    They’ll spend 3 hours talking about how great whatever it is they’re selling is, and it will start to feel like the only way to get these people out of your house is to sign a dotted line.

    They’ll do whatever they can to stop you from talking to other companies. That’s why they’ll start lowering their prices as soon as you mention that you’re getting multiple quotes.

    • Hikermick@lemmy.world
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      28 days ago

      After 30 years of owning my own home my red flag is when they say “this is going to be a big job”.

        • WhyFlip@lemmy.world
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          28 days ago

          It’s the first part that I don’t agree with. There’s zero reason to not hire a contractor in the first weeks of owning a new place. Assuming due diligence, you should know prior to closing what areas might need attention.

          • smackjack@lemmy.world
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            28 days ago

            A lot of times you won’t know what needs attention until you’ve lived in the house long enough. Not everything is immediately obvious.