If you’re thinking about hiring someone to
work on your home, the last thing on your mind may be protecting yourself from
a scam. But unscrupulous contractors – or people posing as contractors – can
win your confidence and quickly disappear with your money.
There are precautions you can take to protect
yourself against home improvement scams.
Before you begin looking for someone to fix your roof or paint your house,
consider the following tips:
Ask questions
Before you settle on what contractor to use,
you should ask specific questions. If a contractor seems hesitant to answer the
following questions, which may be a sign that you should avoid working with
that person:
- When will this project be finished?
- How much is labor going to cost?
- How much are the materials going to cost?
- Will you be using new materials?
- Can I have your contact information?
- Can you provide references?
Make sure you get the name, phone number and
address for references. A dishonest contractor will have no qualms with giving
you phone numbers for his friends. When you ask for detailed contact
information, observe how the contractor reacts. Professionals should anticipate
that request and be happy to honor it.
Get a written contract
No matter how large or small the project is
you need to get a signed contract. Your contract should include details like:
project cost, a timeline, a schedule of payment, contact information and the
contractor’s signature. The contract will create a legally binding agreement
and allow you to sue the contractor if the agreement is not honored.
Listen for clues
Communication is always key when working with
a contractor. Make sure the contractor seems attentive when you’re talking
about the work you want done. And listen for phrases that may reveal ill
intentions, like: “I need to be paid in advance,” or “I was in the neighborhood
and noticed your roof needs fixed.” Scam artists will try to create a sense of
urgency about work that needs to be done to pressure you into making a hasty
decision.
Get more than one
estimate
A good rule of thumb is to always get a second
opinion when it comes to home improvement projects. It’s OK to shop around and
get estimates from a few contractors. Find the contractor who offers use the
best materials at the best price, with a timeline that works for you.
As you start looking for a contractor keep all
of these things in the back of your mind. Avoiding
a scam doesn’t need to be confusing or time consuming. However, in order to not
break the bank and get the best work, you should do a little research and shop
around. Take your time and make sure you are hiring a qualified contractor.
Matt
Herndon loves spending as much time as possible with his wife and three
kids. When he’s not rushing from his son’s football games to his daughter’s
riding lessons or his other daughter’s volleyball games, he’s busy checking
things off his honey-do list.
