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Following a disaster, the demand for qualified contractors
usually exceeds the supply, opening the door for unlicensed
contractors or rip-off artists, who may overcharge, perform
shoddy work or skip town without finishing the job. Because many
legitimate, licensed home repair companies are booked for
months, anxious homeowners who are eager to repair their
property often neglect to take the usual precautions when hiring
contractors.
As a result, some homeowners fall victim to part-time
contractors, who may not get the job done in a reasonable time;
contractors from surrounding areas, who may be difficult to
track down for follow-up; inexperienced contractors, who may not
do the job well; and all too often, just plain crooks, who are
seizing the opportunity to make a fast buck..
To avoid unnecessary hassle and extra expenses and to ensure
that home repairs are done correctly and to code, follow these
tips:
●Deal
only with licensed and insured contractors.
●Verify
the track record of any roofer, builder or contractor. Ask for a
list of recent customers and call them.
●Get
recommendations from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers,
insurance agents or claims adjusters.
●Check
with the local consumer protection agency, building officials,
and the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been
lodged against any contractor you're considering.
●Don’t
rush into a contract. Get a written estimate that includes any
oral promises the contractor made. But remember to ask if
there's a charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into
your home.
●
Ask for explanations for price variations, and don't
automatically choose the lowest bidder.
●Get
a copy of the final, signed contract before the job begins.
●Resist
dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire
job up-front. A deposit of one-third of the total price is
standard procedure.
●Don't
pay cash. Pay only by check or credit card -- and pay the final
amount only after the work is completed to your satisfaction.
●Be
skeptical of contractors who encourage you to spend a lot of
money on temporary repairs. Make sure there's enough money for
permanent repairs.
●Ask
a knowledgeable friend, relative or attorney to review a home
repair contract before you sign.
●If
you get a loan to pay for the work, be cautious about using your
home as security. If you don't repay the loan as agreed, you
could lose your home. Consider asking an attorney to review the
loan documents, as well.
●If
you suspect a repair rip-off, call the Dade County Consumer
Protection Division at (305) 375-4222 or Broward County Consumer
Affairs Division at 954-357-5350.
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