7 Red Flags of a Sketchy Contractor (And How to Walk Away)

In Minnesota, legit contractors expect you to ask about licenses and insurance. They usually have that information ready and can email or text it to you in a couple of minutes.

Red flag behavior looks like this: changing the subject, saying “we’re covered, don’t worry about it,” or only showing you a blurry screenshot on their phone that you can’t verify.

If someone gets weird about simple proof, it usually means the paperwork is expired, not in their name, or doesn’t exist at all. That puts all the risk on you if there’s an accident or damage to your property.

It’s normal for quotes to be different. One contractor might be a little higher because they include more cleanup, better materials, or a longer warranty. That’s fine.

The problem is when one quote is way lower than everyone else, and the paperwork is nothing more than “we’ll take care of it” or a one-line text with a dollar amount. That usually means corners will be cut, surprise charges are coming, or the job won’t be finished the way you expected.

If you can’t tell exactly what you’re paying for, you have no way to hold them to anything when the work doesn’t match what you had in your head.

Deposits themselves aren’t the problem. Many honest contractors need money up front for materials or to hold your spot on the schedule.

The red flag is the combination of high pressure + big money + no paperwork. Examples: “I can give you a deal but only if you pay cash today,” or “I need half down in cash before I can even order materials,” with nothing formal in writing.

Once that money leaves your hand without a clear contract, you’ve lost almost all leverage. If they disappear or stall, getting that cash back is extremely difficult.

Everyone starts small. There’s nothing wrong with a one-truck operation or a newer company. The issue is when there is no sign of a real business at all.

Warning signs: the name on the estimate doesn’t match the name on the truck, the business name changes from text to text, you can’t find them in Minnesota’s business search, and there’s no consistent name on their website, social media, or paperwork.

If something goes wrong, you need to know exactly who is responsible—not just “some guy with a tool bag and a pickup.”

Not every good contractor has a huge online presence, especially in smaller towns. But there should be something—a couple of Google reviews, a Facebook page, or photos from recent jobs that actually look like their work.

Be careful if all you see are stock photos, stolen-looking pictures, or vague excuses like “our customers don’t like to leave reviews” and “we don’t really do online stuff.” That can be a sign they just don’t want a public trail that ties back to them.

You don’t need a Hollywood portfolio, but you do deserve proof that they’ve successfully done your type of project before.

However they treat you before you sign is usually the best they’ll ever treat you. If they’re late to the estimate, forget what you already talked about, or constantly “lose” your messages, that pattern won’t magically fix itself mid-project.

You don’t need a contractor who writes perfect emails. But you do need one who confirms dates, times, prices, and changes in writing so there’s no confusion later.

If you already feel like you’re chasing them down just to get simple answers, imagine what it will be like if there’s a problem with the work.

This is a huge one. Good contractors usually respect careful homeowners. Many of them are homeowners themselves and know how it feels to invite someone onto their property.

Pay attention to their reaction when you say things like “I’m going to verify your license,” “I’d like to call your insurance agent,” or “I’m going to get one more quote before deciding.”

If they stay calm and supportive, that’s a green flag. If they roll their eyes, get angry, or try to guilt you for “not trusting them,” that’s a preview of how they’ll handle any disagreement.