How To Protect Yourself From Home Improvement Scams
By Roy Primm
With the rising cost of housing, many people have decided to improve the house they live in rather than sell their home and move up like in years past.
The watch-word today is home improvement, you hear it on everyone's lips.
With the army of home improvement centers and even 24-hour home improvement television channels, home improvement is in.
But not all of us have the time or the desire to spend our days off hammering nails, tearing up dusty plasterboard.
For those who prefer to hire others to do the work of home improvement.
But not all of us have the time or the desire to spend our days off hammering nails, tearing up dusty plasterboard.
For those who prefer to hire others to do the work of home improvement.
Learn the red flags the contractors, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and other home repair professionals ... and not so professionals give off.
Home improvement repairs is one of the largest forms of complaints reported to the Better Business Bureau and other state and county agencies.
Home improvement repairs is one of the largest forms of complaints reported to the Better Business Bureau and other state and county agencies.
Contractors who collect money and fail to do the job, never finish the job or do a bad job fill the files of most state, county and other local government agencies.
Read this section carefully, it will help to protect you from unscrupulous, unprofessional and inept home improvement contractors and repair men.
1. Be Observant and Use Your Common Sense.
This is your first line of protection in all occasions. This point may seem obvious to some but I placed this point first, why?
Read this section carefully, it will help to protect you from unscrupulous, unprofessional and inept home improvement contractors and repair men.
1. Be Observant and Use Your Common Sense.
This is your first line of protection in all occasions. This point may seem obvious to some but I placed this point first, why?
Because if you fail to do this, the rest of the suggestions on this page won't do you any good. Â If it sounds too good to be true it most likely is, until proven otherwise. Get everything in writing!
2. Do They Take Care of Their Equipment?
One of the red flags of shoddy contractor is shoddy equipment. Broken or missing equipment or parts, sloppy tools and appearance could be a sign of sloppy work results.
3. Are You Asked To Pay Cash Upfront?
Avoid contractors who require you to pay cash upfront before they start work, this should be a glaring red flag that you're setting yourself up for a possible rip off.
2. Do They Take Care of Their Equipment?
One of the red flags of shoddy contractor is shoddy equipment. Broken or missing equipment or parts, sloppy tools and appearance could be a sign of sloppy work results.
3. Are You Asked To Pay Cash Upfront?
Avoid contractors who require you to pay cash upfront before they start work, this should be a glaring red flag that you're setting yourself up for a possible rip off.
Be suspicious of anyone who asked for more than 20 percent of the cost upfront. Also most states require a cooling-off period that gives a homeowner three days to cancel a home improvement contract after signing it.
4. Get All Work And Charges In Writing.
This includes all details such as payment schedules, clean up, hauling away debris, the type of materials used, etc.
Never trust a contractors verbal promises or agreements.
5. Beware of Low-Ball Offers.
This comes under the ... if it's too good to be true category. Often unscrupulous contractors and repairmen will give you a bid that's way below others.
4. Get All Work And Charges In Writing.
This includes all details such as payment schedules, clean up, hauling away debris, the type of materials used, etc.
Never trust a contractors verbal promises or agreements.
5. Beware of Low-Ball Offers.
This comes under the ... if it's too good to be true category. Often unscrupulous contractors and repairmen will give you a bid that's way below others.
This could be because their desperate for work, do shoddy work or use low grade materials, or all the above. This should raise an instant red flag.
If you do decide to give them a try protect yourself by checking with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against them, asking them for references of people they've worked for and checking their work closely from start to finish.
If you follow these 5 simple suggestions you'll avoid stress, wasted money and regrets. And experience the enjoyment of seeing your home improvement projects come together like you planned.
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