What's the best way to guard against swindlers?
Despite all the statutes, if you have to rely on the law to get your money back from a shoddy contractor, you will have to wait a long time. The best idea is not to engage contractors in the first place without a careful check of their reputation ahead of time. Be wary of contractors who:
Claim to work for a government agency. Check it out.
Offer free gifts. Ask the following questions: What exactly are the gifts? When will you receive them? Can you get a price reduction instead?
Engage in door-to-door sales or try to get your business by telephone solicitations. Be especially wary if the sales pitch demands an immediate decision to take advantage of prices that won't be available tomorrow. Most reputable contractors don't engage in such tactics.
Offer an unsolicited free inspection of your furnace or basement. Rip-off artists use this ruse to get into a home and either fake a problem or damage a sound furnace and good pipes.
Claim your house is dangerous and needs immediate repair unless you already know it does.
Have a company name, address, and telephone number and other credentials that can't be verified. Fly-by-night operators often use a post office box and an answering service while hunting for victims.
Promise a lower price for allowing your home to be used as a model or to advertise their work. (Has the price really been lowered? What does the "use of your home" entail?)
Engage in bait-and-switch tactics. After luring you with an ad that offers an unbeatable deal on a job, such contractors tell you the materials aren't available for that job, but that they can give you a bargain on another, more-expensive job.
Leave delivery and installation costs out of their estimates.
Offer to give you a rebate or referral fee if any of your friends use the same contractor.
Insist on starting work before you sign a contract.
Copyright © 2004 American Bar Association