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Did you hear the one about the contractor who informed a homeowner midway through a kitchen renovation that he had cancer and was going into the hospital for emergency surgery? The homeowner later that week came across him on the golf course looking tan and fit.

Good contractors are on time and on budget. Bad contractors have an excuse for everything while demanding more and more money before you'll get your project completed. They size you up and try to get away with as much as they can...and you'll be the victim.

But you don't have to be if you know the warning signs to watch for. Consider them huge, fluorescent red flags. So, here's our top ten list of tried-and-true, stop payment, call the lawyer warnings:

1. Asks you to get the required permits.
2. Won't sign a contract, or does sign a contract but never gives you a copy.
3. Starts demanding more money beyond anything agreed to.
4. Insists you write checks to him/her personally, a family member, or anyone instead of in the name of the business you contracted with.
5. Offers up a barrage of excuses for needing more money or more time.
6. Doesn't return your calls but does answer the phone if he doesn't know its you.
7. Uses lesser materials than what you agreed to.
8. Shows up less frequently and works fewer hours as the project progresses.
9. Subcontractors or members of his work crew complain about not getting paid.
10. Erratic behavior, mood swings, temper outburst, threatening language whenever you try to hold him/her accountable.