Home Repair Scams on the Rise
When choosing a contractor for home repairs and improvements, you should have the same approach just like when you buy a car or anything that has a significant investment. In the last couple of weeks, homeowners in the Mid-West experienced significant damage in and around their homes due to rising waters and floods from heavy rain fall.
Scammers are crafty and timely when orchestrating their scams. They target customers in regions that were affected by disasters from hurricanes, tornado’s, flooding, etc. In Ohio, seven people were arrested for ripping off elderly victims in Ross, Fairfield, Franklin, and Pickaway counties with their door-to-door home improvement scheme last week.
Cities and States affected by weather related disasters are a breeding ground for scammers. Many homeowners whose homes were damaged are desperate to find a contractor fast to repair and restore their homes. By not taking the necessary precautions, you can be a victim of these home repair scams.
It is important to do your due diligence by following these important tips when finding a contractor for home improvements and repairs;
- Check the company’s reputation before the work begins
- Get references and or examples of previous projects
- Never pay any money up front
- Check the Better Business Bureau to ensure the company is accredited and in good standing
- Ask for proof of General Liability insurance
- Ask for proof of any licenses
- Read all documents provided by a contractor before signing
- Do not give a contractor Power of Attorney over your affairs
- Do not allow a contractor to inspect your property when you are not home
- Check with your local states General Attorney’s office
Also check out NARI’s (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Top Ten Signs a Contractor is Untrustworthy. You should also check out ScamBusters.org.
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I had a family member that definitely would have done things different if she could go back and repeat the process. My family member that I will keep her name unknown decide to hire a provider to build a pool house for her. Half way through the work the provider decided that he wasn’t going to pay his subs nor finish the work. Make the story short she lost a lot of money for not checking out the company’s reputation beforehand. How you find a provider has evolved significantly from the days of opening the phone book and looking for a company with the largest ad space (made you feel for some reason they were reputable because of the size ad they had in the phonebook). Today on ServiceLive you get the see ratings and reviews and know exactly who you hire to come out to do any work.