Before hiring a contractor, check 3 warning signs first, then tie payment to actual work progress. A contractor who follows proper process has a clearly stated site-visit fee, not a large deposit demanded before they've even seen the job site.
This article covers the warning signs that usually show up before a job gets abandoned, how to tie payment to progress, what documents you should have before work starts, and what to do if something goes wrong.
3 Warning Signs
Before agreeing to hire any contractor, check these 3 signs — they're the points where jobs most often fall apart or get abandoned midway.
- Asks for a large deposit upfront — before even coming to measure or see the actual site
- Refuses to survey the site before quoting — quotes from photos or a description alone, when the proper process is for the team to survey the site before giving a price (source: Renovation FAQ)
- Gives a verbal price only, won't put it in writing — no quotation or scope document you can check later
Seeing one of these signs isn't reason enough to rule a contractor out immediately — but you should ask clearly why they're skipping these steps.
Tie Payment to Progress
The practical rule is to tie payment to work progress, not pay the full amount upfront.
The proper order is: the team surveys the site before quoting, you agree on price and scope in writing, then you pay after the work is inspected and accepted — not pay first and hope the job matches what was discussed. The site-visit fee itself should also be known in advance and clearly stated, not a number that shifts after you've already agreed (source: Trust).
For multi-stage or longer jobs, splitting payment into installments tied to progress is normal, but the right split depends on the specific project. Agree on it in writing from the start — don't agree verbally and then pay whatever the contractor asks for.
Documents You Need
Before letting a contractor start, you should have documents covering at least the following. They don't need to be a legal form — just clear enough to reference later.
- Scope of work — what will be done, and what point marks the job as finished
- Materials list — what materials, what brand or grade, so you can check them against what's actually used on site
- Timeline — start date and expected completion date
- Warranty — a clearly stated warranty period, e.g. F-Fix states a 7-day warranty with re-repair included (source: Trust)
These documents aren't just formalities — they're evidence you can point to if the finished work doesn't match what was agreed.
If Something Goes Wrong
If completed work isn't satisfactory, first go back to the agreement documents from the start (scope, materials, timeline, warranty), then report the issue to the contractor in writing, not just verbally.
If you hired through F-Fix, further guidance for this situation is on the Trust page, which covers this specifically.
What to Send on LINE
If you'd rather not hunt for a contractor yourself, message F-Fix on LINE with the following:
- Photos of the area needing repair or renovation
- A brief description of the issue or what you need
- Your location (province/district)
The team reviews the information first, then matches you with a technician or contractor. Before work starts, you'll always see the technician's details and price to confirm — work never starts before you've seen the price. This follows the process above: survey the site before quoting, pay after the work is inspected and accepted, and a 7-day warranty on the work. See the full process on the Contact Us page.
In short: before hiring any contractor, check the 3 warning signs, tie payment to work progress instead of paying it all upfront, and keep written documents for scope, materials, timeline, and warranty. If a problem comes up along the way, go back to what you agreed on from the start.
Ready? Add F-Fix on LINE and send photos with your issue and location. The team will review it and show you the technician's details and price before you confirm the job starts.
FAQ
A contractor asks for a deposit before surveying the site — should I give it?
Be cautious — the proper process is for the team to survey the site before quoting a price. If they skip this and immediately ask for a large sum, ask for a clear reason before deciding to hire them.
When is it safe to pay a contractor?
The general rule is to pay after the work is inspected and accepted, not the full amount upfront before work even starts. Any interim installments should be agreed in writing based on the specific project.
What documents should I get from a contractor before work starts?
At minimum, get the scope of work, materials list, timeline, and warranty in writing, so you have something to reference if the finished work doesn't match what was discussed.
If work done through F-Fix isn't satisfactory, what can I do?
Check the agreement documents from the start first, then see further guidance on the website's Trust page, which covers this situation specifically. Work done through F-Fix comes with a 7-day warranty.