Ah! The joys of home ownership. Privacy. Doing what we want when we want. Owning our own little castle.
Ah! The joys of home ownership. Windblown shingles. Leaks. The bathroom is too small. The grass needs cut. Our castle needs some work.
Spring brings the need to clean up from winter storms, and it brings the time for home repairs or general upkeep. We may be doing a remodel or a home facelift. Regardless, now is the time many of us start seriously considering our household ‘to-do’ lists.
We need to pay attention to what work we want done and what will make our lives a little easier (and perhaps a little safer). We also need to close pay attention to who we get to help us with the work.
It’s challenging to find “people” anymore. Remember when we used to say “I have a person who does that!” It may have been family, a friend, or a friend of a friend. But we all had people. Many of us have aged beyond having people, and it’s hard to find someone to help or a business we can afford. Those on fixed incomes may have to be mindful of their income and their budget.
Home ownership is expensive. Maintaining a home is expensive. Materials and labor are expensive. Contractors are busy. This makes people vulnerable to scams. We are looking for the best deal.
Some scammers are just “driving by” or are “doing work in the neighborhood”, and saw that you needed something done. It may be loose shingles. It may be a crack in the driveway. Some scammers will impersonate a contractor and offer you a great “deal”. (They may require a large deposit, and then you never see them again.)
Here are some tips to keep your money out of the hands of scammers.
- Don’t be rushed to make a decision. If a deal is too good to be true – it’s probably not true. Think about it.
- Don’t let the contractor finance your project loan. The Federal Trade Commission offers more tips.
- Ask for a signed contract that clearly outlines the details and the total of the finished task.
- You may be asked for a 10% deposit, according to information from the WV Attorney General.
- Don’t pay more than the agreed upon total without updating your contract. In writing. Detail any changes in writing. (Think about Judge Judy – oral agreements and handshakes don’t count!).
- Ask to see their license.
- One resource is the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.
- If you live in West Virginia, check with the Contractor’s Licensing Board for proof of proper licensing or go to the WV Attorney General’s Office.
- The Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section offers information for consumers or call 800-282-0515
- Ask to see proof of insurance and references from past projects.
Be an informed consumer. Stay safe!
