Spring is almost here and many consumers are getting ready to remodel, repair, or just spruce up their home as part of “Spring Cleaning.” Some tasks can be accomplished with simple elbow grease but other more difficult or complex chores may require home owners, co-op or condo owners or renters to engage the services of a contractor. After verifying the rules and conditions of your homeowners association or co-op or condo rules, finding a reliable contractor is serious business.
“There are lots of reputable contracting companies to choose from and guidelines to help consumers with their decision of which one to choose,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York. “Consumers should be wary of the unsolicited door-to-door offers to repair their roof, paint their house, or reseal or pave their driveway that come along this time of year. These could be offers from unreliable workers or scammers.”
In 2012, the home improvement industry was among the top 10 business complaint categories at the Metro New York BBB. Over 2,500 complaints were filed by consumers in this category which includes general contractors, roofing contractors, heating and air conditioning installers, landscapers, construction companies and swimming pool dealers. The BBB advises consumers to take the time to choose a contractor they can trust and offers the following tips:
Watch out for red flags. Recognize the signs of a potential problem. Did someone come to your door, unsolicited, and tell you about a problem they noticed with your roof, gutters, siding or driveway? Are they telling you they have left over materials from another nearby job? Are they offering unbelievably low prices? Will they only accept cash? Is it a now or never offer? Are they promising an unconditional guarantee or 100% satisfaction? Do you feel pressured to make a decision? Don’t enter into any agreement if you feel under pressure and don’t sign anything until you have had plenty of time to review and understand all of the terms and conditions.
Start with Trust. Contractors that ask for payment up front, perform low-quality workmanship, refuse refunds and fail to address issues are common complaints BBB receives. Homeowners can avoid these companies by doing their homework online through the Metro New York BBB Accredited Business Directory to find BBB accredited contractors and remodeling businesses in the area.
Check references. BBB recommends asking all contractors to provide local references and finding out if those customers were satisfied with the contractor's work. If possible, consumers should visit and inspect completed projects. Verify with your city, county or state Department of Consumer Affairs or other regulatory authority that the contractor is in compliance with all licensing, bonding and insurance requirements. BBB advises consumers to avoid using unlicensed contractors. You may also want to make sure that the contracting company is a member of an industry trade association such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the National Asphalt Pavement Association for example.
Get more than one bid. Solicit at least three bids from prospective contractors based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project. It is important to discuss bids in detail with each contractor and make certain to understand the reasons for any variations in price. BBB offers an online Request a Quote service (available at no charge on BBB online Business Reviews) to obtain bids from BBB Accredited Businesses. Remember that cost differences may reflect factors such as quality of materials, craftsmanship and subcontracting for specialized labor.
Verify insurance coverage. Ask contractors if the company is insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents. BBB advises verifying the contractor's insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.
Get it in writing. Make certain you understand the terms and conditions of any contract. Any verbal promises should be in writing and the contract should at a minimum specify the work to be done, materials to be used, start and completion dates, payment schedules, guarantees, debris removal and your right to cancel. Never sign a partial or blank contract. If the project involves subcontractors you should have a release-of-lien clause added which provides some protection to you in the event your contractor fails to pay the subcontractors. If a warranty is provided, it too should be in writing and must state whether it is a full or limited warranty. The contract should also state that the work will be performed in accordance with all applicable laws and building codes and that required permits or inspections are the responsibility of the contractor.
Know your rights. If you hire a contractor, pay by check or credit card when the work is completed to your satisfaction. If you are dealing with a traveling contractor, be extra cautious and make sure to ask for identification and note the license plate number on the contractor’s vehicle. If you get “buyer’s remorse,” you may be able to change your mind after the contract is signed. The Federal Trade Commission and many states have a “three-day cooling off rule” for in-home purchases. New York City residents can find tips and information about local home improvement contractor licensing at this link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/initiatives/contractors.shtml.
For more tips you can trust, visit www.newyork.bbb.org, and to sign up for our weekly scam alerts, visit https://cbbb.wufoo.com/forms/email-sign-up/.
