Author: Paul Michael / Source: Wise Bread
From a small task like new sod, to a major job like a finished basement, home improvement projects can become a nightmare if you fall victim to a scam. Even the savviest consumers can get taken for a ride if they don’t know how to spot the red flags. So before you commit to any kind of home remodel or upgrade, make sure you know how to protect yourself from the scammers.
Don’t get work done that you didn’t seek out
This happens all the time, even though door-to-door salesmen seem to be a thing of the past. You’ll get a knock on the door and a friendly face will tell you that the recent hailstorm means your roof is in major trouble. Or, their firm is in the area replacing windows, and because so many of the neighbors have signed up, you’ll get a great deal. The patter revolves around the same kind of setup, but the result is always the same — they won’t go away until you agree to sign something and hand over a deposit.
Now, in all fairness, reputable companies will go door-to-door sometimes as well, but they won’t use high-pressure tactics. The scammers will use every trick in the book to get invited inside and throw the hard sell at you. Don’t ever get work done that you didn’t actively seek out yourself; you’re just asking for trouble.
Do your research, and do it well
When you take on any kind of home improvement project, it’s not the same as getting a car overhauled or a gadget repaired. This is your home. Your safe space. Before you let anyone near it, let alone into it, you want to know they are reliable and trustworthy. A simple recommendation from a friend or work colleague isn’t enough.
You have the vast resources of the internet and a community of clients to tap into, so use them. Start with the Better Business Bureau and Yelp. Get yourself a membership to a site like Angie’s List (which is free now) and scour reviews. You may even want to do a Google search for the contractor’s name followed by a phrase like “rip-off” or “scam.” If there are overwhelmingly negative reviews, avoid them. If there are no reviews, avoid them. You want glowing reviews from at least a dozen people before you commit to anything. (See also: How to Find and Hire a Reliable Contractor)
Get free estimates from multiple sources
If you’re any kind of savvy shopper, you won’t buy anything without doing a little price comparison. The same applies to a contractor, only this is a much bigger and more important purchase.
Once you have researched the best three firms…
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