These outright frauds are just the most flagrant examples of abuse in the home repair field. Millions of people are disappointed with the quality of work performed by hired contractors who do incompetent work, who fail to give reliable cost estimates, or who choose low-grade, inadequate materials. Because of this, it is important to choose a home improvement contractor with care.
First, think carefully about what you want done. An outside contractor may not be needed at all. Many jobs can be done with the help of do-it-yourself manuals, some of which are provided free or at low cost by the federal government (write to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service, Washington, D.C., 20251 and to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C. 20410). At a minimum they will give you an idea of how much work is involved and what is a reasonable fee for doing it. Local utility companies, also issue advice on home insulation and other energy-saving tips (an excellent booklet is “How to Save Money by Insulating Your Home,” available in New York from Consolidated Edison, Consumer Affairs Department,4 Irving Place, New York, N.Y. 10003).
For complicated tasks, it is best to seek out a local contractor with a proven reputation. A good way to begin is to ask for recommendations from people who have lived in the community and from friends who have had work done in the past. Do not rely on the local Yellow Pages or on newspaper ads.
Ask several contractors for price estimates. Beware of markedly low estimates and unbelievable bargains—these may indicate general incompetence, the intended use of cheap materials, or fraud. Visit the contractor’s place of business. Is it a real office, preferably one that’s been there for a while, or is it the back of a truck? Ask prospective contractors for a bank reference and for one or two customer references (good contractors will be happy to have you examine their prior work). Check with the Better Business Bureau or local consumer affairs office to make sure there’s no backlog of complaints about the contractor,particularly if it’s a major job. For very substantial projects, such as adding to an existing structure, consider hiring an architect, who will choose the contractor for you, design the addition, and supervise the work. As a source of professional advice and planning, an architect may well be worth the additional cost.
In many cities and counties, home improvement contractors mustbe licensed in order to operate. Contact the local consumer office or the state attorney general’s office to see if this is the case in your area. If so, ask to see the contractor’s license number. A license is no guarantee of honesty or competence, but it guarantees a minimal compliance with the law and will provide you with a place (the licensing agency) to go with complaints. Unlicensed dealers may be “fly-bynighters” with no ties to the community. Avoid them at all costs. Before hiring the licensed contractor, see if the licensing agency has any negative information about it in its files.
Tags: contractors price estimates, hiring the licensed contractor, home repair field