One of the fastest growing problems in the home improvement industry is contractors who work on a cash basis. The reasons for this are varied, not the least of which is that it allows a contractor to have a stream of untraceable income on which taxes can be avoided. To entice a homeowner into agreeing to a cash arrangement, the offer of a discount is often included, or other incentives are offered. The temptation to take the money savings can be strong. After all, what difference does it make to you if the contractor is cheating the IRS? The answer is, it makes a big difference.
Why? It could be an indication that you are dealing with an unscrupulous contractor. If he is willing to cheat the IRS out of legitimately-owed taxes, he may be inclined to save money in other ways as well. You can almost count on corners being cut on your project, perhaps in areas you might not notice at first, but eventually will pay the price for. You may have been quoted a cost based on assurance that a certain quality of materials were used, but later find out after you’ve handed over the cash that you didn’t get what you thought you were paying for.
Inviting a contractor to do work on your home involves a level of trust that needs to go both ways. He trusts you to pay him, and you trust him to deliver what he has promised. Can you expect to trust someone who compromises in other areas of his business? Some contractors have indicated that up to half of the bids they come up against are from cash-only contractors, and that’s alarming.
If you’re planning a home improvement project and you’re given a bid that requests payments in cash or offers a discount for cash, you may want to take a step back and re-evaluate the offer. While not all contractors accepting cash are dishonest, it does raise the question. At the very least, ask for proof of license, proof of insurance, and a list of references. Then follow up on all three to make sure they are legitimate before you sign anything or hand over any money. A reputable contractor will not object to providing you with the information you request, and are entitled to. As a full-service exterior home remodeling contractor serving the Minneapolis area, Window Outfitters is concerned with maintaining the reputation for honesty among legitimate home improvement contractors.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
