The call came on a Tuesday morning. Woman had paid $18,500 to a contractor who showed up with a rusty circular saw, a bent level, and a helper who looked like he'd just been picked up at a bus stop. Three weeks later, the contractor was gone. One wall was half-primed. The bathroom was gutted. The deposit? Spent.
I got the call because someone told her, "Call Kerr. He'll tell you straight."
I've been painting and renovating in the Bahamas since 1992. I've walked into the aftermath of bad contractor jobs more times than I can count. And here's what I've learned: you don't need to know construction to spot a bad contractor. You just need to know what to look at before they ever pick up a hammer.
The Tools Don't Lie
Here's something nobody in the trade will tell you: a contractor's tools are a confession. They tell you how long they've been doing this, whether they invest in their work, and — most importantly — whether they plan to finish your job or disappear halfway through.
I've watched homeowners interview contractors for over three decades. They ask about timeline. They ask about references. They ask about insurance. Almost nobody asks to see the tools.
That's the mistake.
A serious contractor shows up with serious equipment. Not because expensive tools make you a better tradesman — they don't. But because the kind of person who invests in a miter saw that cuts true every single time is the same kind of person who shows up on day 17 when the job gets hard.
The guy who brings a beat-up saw he bought at a pawn shop? He's already told you everything you need to know.
What the Uninformed Homeowner Does
They focus entirely on the quote. They compare three numbers on three pieces of paper and pick the middle one — or worse, the lowest one. They never look in the truck. They never ask what equipment the crew is using. They assume all contractors are roughly the same, just with different prices.
I've seen where that leads. I've repainted walls where the first painter used a cheap brush that left bristles in the finish. I've fixed trim where the "carpenter" used a dull blade that tore the wood instead of cutting it. The homeowner paid for that work. Then they paid me to fix it.
What the Smart Homeowner Does Now
Here's your checklist. Not for interviewing the contractor — for watching them before the interview even starts:
1. Look at the saw. When a contractor pulls up for the estimate, glance at what's in the truck bed. A clean, well-maintained miter saw tells you this person cuts accurately. Trim work, baseboards, crown molding — it all starts with the saw. A DEWALT 12-inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw is what I see in the trucks of guys who don't get callbacks. If the saw is clean and sharp, the work will be too. If it's beat to hell and covered in dried caulk, that's how your trim will look.
2. Check the drill. A contractor who shows up with a cordless drill and impact driver set that's clearly been used but well cared for — that's someone who works efficiently. The DEWALT 20V MAX XR hammer drill and impact driver combo is what I see in the trucks of guys who finish jobs on time. Not because the brand matters. Because the decision to invest in reliable tools correlates with the decision to invest in reliable work.
3. The circular saw test. Watch how they handle their circular saw. Do they set it down carefully or toss it? A DEWALT 6-1/2 inch cordless circular saw that's clean, with a sharp blade — that's a contractor who cuts straight. A dull blade means tear-out. Tear-out means your expensive plywood or hardwood has splintered edges. And they won't tell you until it's already installed.
4. Organization tells the story. Is the truck organized? Are tools stored or piled? A contractor who can't find his own tools in his own truck won't be able to find problems in your walls either. This isn't about being neat — it's about systems. The best tradesmen I've worked with in 34 years all had one thing in common: they knew exactly where every tool was.
The Question That Reveals Everything
After 34 years, I can tell you the one question that separates the professionals from the pretenders. Don't ask "how long will it take?" or "can you do it cheaper?"
Ask this: "What saw are you using for the trim work?"
If they look confused, or say "whatever's in the truck," or can't name the tool — walk away.
If they say "I use a 12-inch double bevel sliding compound — the DEWALT DWS779 — because the cut depth handles crown molding in one pass and the bevel holds true" — you're talking to someone who knows their craft.
That's not about the brand. It's about the answer. A real tradesman can talk about his tools the way a chef talks about his knives. If he can't, he hasn't been doing this long enough to take your money.
You're Not Hiring a Contractor. You're Hiring Their Standards.
Here's what 34 years in this trade has burned into my brain: the contractor who cuts corners on his own equipment will cut corners on your house. Every single time. I've never seen an exception.
The contractor who invests in tools that last, maintains them, and knows them inside and out — that's the contractor who treats your home the same way.
You didn't save for years to hand your renovation to someone who shows up with junk. So before you sign anything, before you hand over a deposit, before you let anyone touch your walls — look in the truck.
The tools will tell you the truth. They always do.
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