Imagine: You are having lunch and a contractor strikes at your door. Produced additional driveway sealing left a job around the corner and offer discounts. Your entry could use an update, accept that. It is purified "seals" entry and rainfall later. Obviously there were no sealed remains, and you spend only hundreds of dollars, which poured black paint mainly.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for owners to Boca Raton, FL to Seattle, WA in a similar situation. Due to the nature of the repair work in the house, the horror stories are more common than it seems: If you often run out of word-of-mouth, without registration and word against the other often is a person.
However, there are steps that you can take always avoid shadows in a working arrangement with workshops and contractors. "There is a difference between a thief and low quality work," says Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Office Better Business (BBB). "Scammers will do with their money without having to finish the job, while the work is so bad, bad."
To avoid running, well, consider this advice to prevent fraud and a scam victim home repair contractors to be.
Rule 1: Always have a contract
Maybe, maybe you are an honest, legitimate person, my word is my bond-type of person. But let's face it - is: There are many people out - no casualties. That's one reason a written contract is recommended - preferably not written on a piece of paper towel or scrap - swear regardless of the number of family members, friends or colleagues through the work of an entrepreneur. "Verbal agreements not a substitute for a written contract," says Hutt. "Make sure that it is written."
No contract? You do Vicki Glembock experience. Westmont, New Jersey, owner jumped the contract and hired artisans neighborhood shave the bottom of a closet to make room for a large fridge. "He came, took down lockers and went to work in his shop with them," says Glembock. "He spent a month. I called and told me I had again to take a step, then left. Again nothing for a month. Finally I called again, and in a day or two, returned a day to find the cupboard the veranda to sit. he had cut down, so we could not the doors. therefore come, he left it only there. no note. no mea culpa. Nothing. I even found to buy the same relocation and new doors. "
Rule 2: Research your contractor
Afton Campbell, a mother of three children, based in North Carolina Charlotte, he thought had done his homework. "I interviewed six other entrepreneurs, and everyone seemed a little shade," he said. "I have passed the real estate agent who lives in our neighborhood, and marketing director for a recommendation. Both said L had done for other people work, knew satisfied with his work and were. He seemed very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Had also the best course of action to repair the shower, and the price was very reasonable. he asked for half the money up front and the rest when the work was done. it all seemed legitimate. "Until he did not. Fast forward several months repairing tiles "simple" Shower The owner was completely made a mistake. Campbell was surprised: "I do not even cut the tile with a wet saw!"
In addition, ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors, always dig a little deeper, when it comes to a trusted technician. "Check BBB.org to see what others had with the company," advises Hutt. "We have 5.3 million business journals and more than 1 million are in the room. You can see if they have a rating of BBB when they are a reputable company accreditation, requires this license for each occupation, see if they have comments on this society. "
Rule 3: Get at least three estimates at home
If the contractor does not want to see in person a potential project before a budget type, which should be a warning sign. "It is almost impossible to do anything on the phone," Hutt said. "If a company does not want to provide an estimate of your home available, you want to look likely to keep." "Compare not automatically go with the lowest estimate. Sealing I will get the best deal." On the same note Often the highest bid does not necessarily guarantee the best work, and the lowest estimate is not necessarily the best deal.
Dani Richmond, VA (which asked that their names not be used in this story), received three estimates personally was not an option for beach house for his family on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. "We had a call from our realtors say that our house had mold and would remain tenants," she said. "So my husband went down, and because their training is hazardous materials, he decided to see what it was like -. It allows the same, no mold was in each repairer the answer." Oh damn, where do go all the mold '? After my husband showed him there was no in the attic. it turns out, does not show the owner and call their bluff. Fortunately, to avoid Dani and her family, what could have been unnecessary repairs $ 20,000 - but it costs an unexpected trip home on the beach.
Rule 4: Do not pay in full by the beginning
"No reputable contractor or repairer will be asked to pay everything in full before the work begins," says Hutt. "Remember, in three parts:. Pre-pay one third, one third, if the work is almost completed, and the remaining third, when finished" Luckily its contractors had only a fraction of the total cost of the reform of the bathroom paid Afton Campbell, save family money in the long run. "He always give a tough time to make excuses why you can not return the money," he said.
And he warns Hutt, a refund could be a problem if it were involved subcontractors. "Ensure that all subcontractors have been paid," advises Hutt. "If the contractor did not pay, they can come to the holders of outstanding wages." To prevent this happening to you before you start working, ask the general contractor to list all subcontractors, how much to pay, when it is estimated to be paid, and finally the proof of payment.
Rule 5: Use resources like the Better Business Bureau
These organizations consist of a base. In addition, business support, which are in the order and provide excellent services to its customers and the community, accreditation also companies that do these things followed. "Even if you can not find a business in our directory, please contact us and ask to open an investigation, "Hutt said. However, accreditation is only one way to ensure that you have a good choice if a general contractor setting. You can also sites like List Angie you use to help the veterinarian of your choice, ask for references (and call them!) Call insurance companies, the contractor, to ensure that the reporting, is underway, and ask to visit a job running the work of a contractor close to see.
What is repair your horror story at home? Share your tips and experiences in the comments!
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