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10 Red Flags I See When Homeowners Call Me After Hiring the Wrong Contractor

January 12, 20258 min read
Elan Benor

Elan Benor

Co-Founder, Moda Outdoor Living

Every month, I get calls from homeowners stuck in contractor nightmares. Their stories all start with the same warning signs—signs they wish they'd seen earlier.

The 10 Red Flags

  1. No written contract—or a vague one-page document
  2. Demands large upfront payments (more than 10%)
  3. Can't or won't provide license number
  4. No insurance certificate
  5. Quote is dramatically lower than everyone else
  6. Won't provide references from similar projects
  7. Pressures you to 'sign today' for a discount
  8. Hard to reach before the job—unresponsive to calls/texts
  9. No physical address or permanent location
  10. Can't explain their process in detail

When Things Go Wrong

Natasha called us after experiencing a contractor nightmare. What impressed me was that despite her bad experience, she gave us a chance—and we made everything right.

Working with this company has been such a pleasure. I can't say enough about their integrity. We had an issue come up in the last bit of construction and Elan made everything right. — Natasha

💡 Pro Tip

Trust your gut. If something feels off during the sales process, it will only get worse during construction.

What Our Clients Say

"Working with this company has been such a pleasure. I can't say enough about their integrity. We had an issue come up in the last bit of construction and Elan made everything right."
N

Natasha

Googlevia Google

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I'm already in a bad contractor situation?

Document everything, consult your contract, and contact the Contractors State License Board if they're licensed.

How much upfront payment is reasonable?

We ask for a reasonable deposit to begin, with payments tied to project milestones. Never more than 10% upfront.

Ready to Transform Your Backyard?

Let's discuss your project. Book a free consultation and I'll personally walk you through your options.

Elan Benor

Elan Benor

Co-Founder, Moda Outdoor Living

Elan co-founded Moda Outdoor Living with Ilan Koifman after they met during Ironman training. Together, they've completed over 1,000 backyard transformations across Los Angeles, bringing transparent pricing and exceptional craftsmanship to every project.

Learn more about our story →