Contractor bid red flags
Short answer: most bad jobs were visible in the bid before the work ever started. The warning signs are not hidden. They are right there on the page if you know what to read for. Here are the ones a superintendent watches for.
Cash only, or no written contract
If a contractor only wants cash and will not put the job in a written contract, stop. A written contract protects you, not just them. It is where the scope, the price, the timeline, and what happens if something breaks all live. No contract means you have no record of what you were promised.
A big deposit before any work
Be careful when a contractor asks for a large share of the total up front before any material is ordered or any work begins. A deposit to hold a spot or order materials is normal. A demand for most of the money before day one is a reason to slow down and ask exactly what that money buys.
Vague scope and a fat "misc" line
If the bid does not plainly say what work is being done and what materials are being used, the price is a guess. A line labeled misc, general, or TBD is not a price, it is a placeholder, and placeholders grow. A real bid spells the work out.
A price that only stands if you decide today
Pressure is a red flag. Real contractors are busy and their prices hold for a reasonable window. If a number is only good if you sign right now, the rush is for their benefit, not yours. A fair price is still fair next week.
No license, no insurance, no proof
A good price from someone unlicensed or uninsured is not a good deal. If something goes wrong, you are the one holding the bill. Ask for the license number and proof of insurance, and confirm they are real before any money changes hands. A contractor who stands behind the work will not flinch at the question.
Trust the feeling, then check the paper
If something feels off, you are usually right, but do not stop at the feeling. Take it back to the bid and find the line that is causing it. The gut tells you where to look. The page tells you what is actually wrong.
Common questions
What are the biggest red flags on a contractor bid?
Cash only with no written contract, a large deposit before any work, vague scope or a fat misc line, high-pressure "today only" pricing, and no proof of license or insurance.
Is it bad if a contractor only takes cash?
It is a warning sign, especially with no written contract. A contract protects you by recording the scope, price, timeline, and what happens if the work fails.
How much deposit is too much for a contractor?
A deposit to hold the job or order materials is normal. Be cautious when a contractor wants most of the total before any work begins. Ask exactly what the up-front money pays for.