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Alerts & Hot Topics - SPECIAL ALERT |
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This is the season to be on the lookout for Home Improvement Scams and Rip-off artists. While there are many licensed and honest contractors who will do a good job for you, there are also scam artists posing as contractors. These scam artists are interested in only one thing…to separate you from your money. They will do a shoddy job or not complete the job they start. So how do you protect yourself from being ripped-off or the victim of a scam contractor? |
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Here are some basic steps you should always take when having any kind of repairs done to your home: |
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1. |
Check out the contractor with the Contractors State License Board before you |
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hire anyone to do work in your home; and only hire a licensed contractor. |
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2. |
All contractors are issued pocket licenses that show the type of trade for |
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which they are licensed and the expiration date of their license. Always ask to see this license as well as some additional identification to make sure the person on the license is the person showing you the license. |
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Even if you have a project that is somewhat of an emergency, take your time to |
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check out the workers you plan to hire, and don’t pick the first contractor you encounter. |
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4. |
Get at least 3 bids, ask for references for local jobs they have done, and if you have |
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the time visit one of their reference job sites to see first hand the quality and type of work they provided. |
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Always insist on a written contract with all the details spelled out. Make sure |
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you understand the terms of the contract before you sign on the dotted line. Take time to look the contract over, and have a family member or trusted friend review it too. |
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Never pay the full amount of the contract upfront. Most contractors will ask for |
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a deposit at the time you sign the contract, and don’t pay in cash. |
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Under most state laws, but be sure to check first, a contractor cannot ask for |
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a deposit of more than 10% of the total cost of the job, or $1,000, whichever is less. |
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Never make payments in advance of the work being done, but you can make |
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periodic payments during the job. Pay for the work that has been completed. |
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Never make a final payment unless you are satisfied with the job. |
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10. |
To check out a contractor or to verify information provided by a bidding contractor, |
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contact the Contractors State Licensing Board. Be prepared to provide them the contractors name, business address, and license number. |
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You can do more to protect yourself before hiring a contractor than the Contractors State Licensing Board can do to help you after you have been harmed. |
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