Yo, Stallone! Do Your Homework Before Hiring a Contractor

If you’ve ever felt ripped off by a bad contractor, you’re in good company. Actor Sylvester Stallone is hopping mad and suing a kitchen contractor for $1.4 million, claiming the work was over-priced and substandard.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that the contractor overcharged the actor on material and labor — $10,000 for a “premium wood kitchen butcher block that was in fact very cheap wood veneer fastened onto a plywood base.” Also, Stallone contends that the contractor was not licensed to perform work on Stallone’s kitchen remodeling project, which included a 1,200 sq. ft. extension and new cabinets, appliances, and hardware.

Stallone says he hired the contractor upon the recommendation of Lisa Vanderpump, one of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Even though we feel for Stallone, we think he should have done more homework before hiring someone for such a big job.

Before hiring a contractor, you should ask the following questions:

• Would you please itemize your bid?

• Is your bid an estimate or a fixed price?

• How long have you been doing business in this town?

• Who are your main suppliers?

• I’d like to meet the job foreman — can you take me to a project he’s running?

Have you ever been scammed by a contractor? What did you do to remedy the situation?