Even the largest retailers using subcontractors on Home Improvement Projects know there is a loophole in the system that opens up the use of undocumented labor. A Contractor is responsible for the job. A Contractor is not responsible for a Subcontractor’s Business practices. When a Subcontractor uses illegal labor, many Contractors know but still use them.
The truth is, the cost on the bid does not assure only Documented Workers will be on your property. Documented Workers do cost more than Undocumented Workers, but you could take the highest bid and still have Undocumented Workers, or take the lowest bid and have documented workers.
The key is to trust the company you choose. Yet a three bid system is flawed. Everyone knows how to sell around this or that issue. You may get three great contractors, three unscrupulous contractors, or a combination. My advice is get as many bids as you need to find the RIGHT contractor. This can be as few as one or as many as it takes. Remember, this is your home and if a project costs more tomorrow if you don’t buy today, this is just a sales closing tactic.
It is also very easy to hide the types of workers that will be on your property. There are good and bad sales people out there. Unfortunately, you may not be able to identify the differences or they may not fully understand their companies. As a Homeowner, you may not care if a worker has the legal right to work or not; in the end, you just need to know if they are so YOU can make that choice. If they are not Documented and you are okay with that, ask for a lower price.
Please Note: Blueprint Remodeling is not condoning the use of undocumented workers and will not use them.