Fraud Tip of the Day - January 9
Avoid Home Repair Fraud
Before hiring a general contractor to assist you in home repairs do some research so that you know your rights and responsibilities. If you choose the wrong contractor you could be stuck with a lot of bills and/or un unfinished project you paid in full for. Here are some tips that can help you avoid a home repair nightmare.Make sure that your contrator is reputable. Solicit your friends for their opinions and advice on selecting an honest contractor if you don't know of any. Once you've selected a contractor do some additional research on the web to find out if there are any negative comments about them floating around or better yet check with the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if anyone has filed a complaint against them. You could also ask building inspectors or your insurance company.
Whatever you do, make sure that who you choose is legit. Fully investigate them and make sure that they are fully licensed and insured.
Always ask the contractor for their own references and get a written estimate from them before they begin any work.
Do not pay for the entire job before work has begun and don't make a final payment until you are happy with the results. You may be asked to make a small deposit or submit a small payment for building materials which is a completely normal and fair practice.
If someone claims to have just completed repair work on a home nearby and offers you a discount because there are leftover material be wary. There's no reason for someone to make an offer like this. The material could even be stolen!
Ask the contractor for lien waivers because suppliers and subcontractors have a right to file a lien against you if the general contractor you hired fails to pay them.
