I learned the hard way that gut feeling isn’t enough. When I started my kitchen reno, I just went with a guy my neighbor recommended—didn’t ask for references or anything. He seemed nice, but halfway through, communication got weird and the timeline kept slipping. Now, I always ask for a couple of past clients to chat with, and I want to see photos of their work. It feels awkward at first, but it’s saved me a lot of stress since. Written scope is non-negotiable for me now, too.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a few good experiences just trusting my instincts—maybe I’ve been lucky, or maybe it’s because I’m super hands-on with every step. I do agree that a written scope is key, but sometimes references can be misleading too. I’ve seen folks cherry-pick their best jobs for show-and-tell. For me, I like to see how they handle unexpected issues on site, not just the glossy after photos. Sometimes a quick chat while they’re working tells you more than any reference list.
I hear you on the instinct part—sometimes a gut feeling does tell you a lot. Still, I’d be careful relying on that alone, especially with bigger projects. I’ve seen homeowners get burned when someone seemed great in person but dropped the ball later. For me, I like to see how they handle paperwork and timelines, not just their worksite attitude. If someone can’t keep track of a simple schedule or change order, it’s a red flag, even if they seem easygoing during a chat.
Couldn’t agree more—paperwork is where the rubber meets the road. I’ve had folks who could charm the paint off a wall but couldn’t remember which room they were supposed to demo. If they can’t handle a calendar, my anxiety levels go through the roof.
