Media contact: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – There are many reputable, hard-working, home improvement
contractors in our area, but unfortunately there are a few who are less than
reputable. For this reason, the Better Business Bureau encourages consumers to
do their homework before contracting with any business. The home improvement
industry is consistently in the top five types of businesses that receive the
most consumer complaints each year.
Consumers should be wary of
less-than-reputable or unqualified contractors who promise a variety of
services at cut-rate prices. They may show up at your door, advertise in local
newspapers, or put fliers in your mailbox. “All it takes is a business card, a
cell phone, photocopied flyers and a hammer for someone to run their own
contracting business,” said Tom Bartholomy, president of the Better Business
Bureau. “The contractor who shows up may actually be a fly-by-night contractor
who is based out-of-state, using their pick-up truck as their office or even
worse, they may be a criminal.”
The Better
Business Bureau has the following advice for homeowners who hire home
improvement contractors:
- Consumer research
– Check with the BBB to see if the contractor has unanswered or unresolved
complaints on file.
- Criminal history
– You need to know who is in your home. Check the contractor out on the
N.C. criminal history database online.
- Licensing -
Check to see if the specific industry requires contractors to be licensed
and make sure the contractor that you hire has the proper licensing.
- Insurance -
Verify the contractor’s liability insurance to protect you against damage.
- Bonding –
Be sure all workers are bonded to protect you against theft and damage.
- References
– Ask for references and check them out.
- Cost comparisons
- Get bids based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and
time needed to complete the project.
- Written contract
- Do not permit work to start without a signed written contract that
includes start and completion dates, exact costs and specific work to be
done. Read the fine print.
- Payment -
Pay by check or credit card. If you are asked to pay for the entire job
up-front, this should raise a red flag. Final payment should not be due
until the job is done.
The Better Business Bureau has information you can trust.
You can check out a company and get a free Reliability Report on a business by
visiting www.bbb.org or by calling
1-877-317-7236 toll-free in N.C. and S.C. or at (704) 927-8611.
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Links: BBB
news releases on home improvement contractors:
http://www.charlotte.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-consumers-about-local-home-improvement-contractor-11001
http://www.charlotte.bbb.org/article/bbb-alert-spring-is-the-season-for-home-improvement-scams-9624
http://www.charlotte.bbb.org/article/bbb-warning-home-improvement-contractor-defrauds-25-victims-in-8-counties-out-of-more-than-100000-5447