My First Scam Contractors for Renovations

This is my experience with my first set of Scam Contractors in Baltimore City. This wont be a rare experience for new investors since contractors can easily smell a newbie in the market from the first 5 minutes of interaction. However fortunately I emerged relatively unscathed from this. But there was still a lot of drama to be had!

[@andregriggs2192]

You can take a contracting course at a local community college. It only takes a couple weeks plus maybe another week to study for the exam in MD. Once you get your license you can LLC a contracting business in order to sub-contract other contractors. This will lower your cost and give the impression they are dealing with someone in the industry so less hassle.

[@profsmith7578]

I agree with you. I am an investor in NYC, but I do my own work. I was able to control the costs of materials. The materials do not cost much, but the labor does. But this is sweat equity and DIY. I do not trust contractors in general. They can walk out of a job with your money. Good luck as an investor. You need a combination of skills in order to make money in real estate.

[@Shanno29]

I believe I may have met this gentleman at this same property on walk through proposal to add ductless HVAC equipment. Very nice guy and I didn’t realize was him until halfway in to video kind of crazy! Sorry to hear about this horrible experience. Looks like you have learned from it and have come a long way! Best of luck to you , Devin!

[@Thisguy418]

God bless you man! It’s great to watch a KZbin channel that is DIRECTLY relevant to doing business in my area with the types of houses I buy!

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

I was actually quite shocked how few renovation KZbin channels there are related to the Baltimore Area. Most of them are for out west. So I'm certainly happy to provide content. Let me know if there was anything you would like me to cover

[@ellie_fit6804]

Omg lol me at Home Depot every day 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ I am definitely learning !

[@raftr94]

Thanks, Devin. great channel, subscribed. Been living in Baltimore for over 25 years and really thinking of investing in real property. Learning a lot on this channel.

[@mrshep8215]

Great Channel, can't wait to see you grow on here.

[@jazroom8411]

As a woman, I worry about this. I will always have my brother or father with me when dealing with a contractor. Luckily, I’ve already received a referral from a family friend. I’m pretty tough and I don’t budge easily but I can see how contractors would want to be intimidating

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

I can certainly understand the worry about working with contractors, and its certainly fortunate for you to have others to help out if needed. I thought about presenting a tougher vibe when working with them, but as a new investor, I felt they would be able to see through that. Though at this point, it is much easier for me since I've been working with contractors for long enough to negotiate more effectively

[@Lala121480]

Great video!

[@blackcameraphoto]

I want to purchase an investment in the city. Your channel offers some awesome insight into the ins and outs of investing in Baltimore city. Thanks for sharing!

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

I'll be making a lot of Baltimore centric versions of each video as well to make sure I get not only the general perspective but also a review of the same subject on how it pertains to Baltimore

[@saiyjin98]

Similar thing happened to me when I tried to renovate a small bathroom. They called the job complete and left, but when I tested the bathroom I found that the toilet ran and then shower didn't divert correctly. Took me 2 years of hounding them and threatening them with legal action before they remedied the issues and paid me a penalty for getting the job done so late.

[@ZadyBankZ]

Too bad for the scam, but great tips on things to look out for as red flags 🚩. Glad you were able to get rid of them and still complete the job! Thanks for sharing

[@Erik_Thorsvik]

Great video. Fellow Baltimorean here, would you mind sharing who the contractor was so I can avoid?

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

Sure, feel free to direct message me. I dont want to post it openly just in case of retaliation

[@samuelbrooks1096]

@@DevinMorenoInvesting I need a contractor asap. I close on May 2nd and I need comparable quotes. Can you please recommend a contractor?

[@refreshedandrestored913]

Need a guy like me see the big vision if I sink you there's go future work I try and work with my investors have to find great team that understands big picture point blank

[@4joylem788]

This is crazy, thanks for sharing.

[@TylerDalton]

I've worked with contractors before that made me buy the small stuff as well- I had a bad feeling that they were scamming me and taking materials back to home depot

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

Yeah this seems to be a common trend that is a bit hard to stop unless you get the materials yourself (which is annoyingly difficult to do as a new investor lol)

[@wildtill9]

You did not get ripped off You just got a expensive education in real estate Ok, all joking aside - no need to fire contractors. Just tell them you are out of money and can not pay them any more. And then ask them if they can work for free since they are there to help the new guys.

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

Haha yes a very expensive lesson indeed! Fortunately the strategy of just telling them I'm out of money worked out to get them to go away

[@greggowaffles]

@0:40 lmaooo!!!

[@dy9278]

Horrible experience so sorry that happened to you

[@fritzcharles9177]

Great video

[@DevinMorenoInvesting]

Thanks!! :)

[@laxmikc6672]

👍