Statistics have it that America spends more than $150 billion on home remodeling, repair, and improvement projects. That is a lot of money, and there are unscrupulous individuals who are out there to rip off the hard-earned cash. You might be surprised by how easy it is to get scammed by home repair contractors; thus the need to understand how to avoid their filthy schemes.
1. Understand the signs
Whether it is a small or a large project that you would want to be completed, watch out for these warning signs:
Pressure to decide immediately- A qualified and honest contractor should allow enough time for the client to make a decision. Pressuring you into deciding on a particular path is a signal that they are hiding something.
A knock at your door- You should be cautious of people who come knocking at your door and offering you their services.
People who accept cash only- although reputable contractors give cash discounts, they are flexible to other payment methods such as credit cards and checks.
Contractors who have leftover materials- many scammers claim that they have leftover materials from their previous job which they can use for your project. Thinking about it, it could be such a coincidence!
2. Get a contract
Ensure that everything you agree on is in writing before the contractor commences work. Read through the paperwork to understand everything. You can ask for help whenever you feel that a clause is not clear. Never sign a contract before being totally comfortable with all the particulars.
3. Do not pay for the service upfront
Many scammers will insist that the client pays the full amount before they start working. That is wrong, as they can disappear without completing what you hired them to do. Tie the payment to the progress. That way, you can pay in bits after ensuring that the agreed milestone has been done as you wanted it.