Planning a home improvement? Following these tips

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By John North, Contributing Writer 11:21 AM Saturday, February 11, 2012

Most homeowners have heard of, and in some cases experienced, unscrupulous contractors asking for payment up front, performing shoddy work, and then refusing refunds or disappearing completely. Your Better Business Bureau saw a local increase in the number of complaints in the home improvement industry in 2011.

Help prevent contractor problems by following these tips:

• Ask friends and family to recommend contractors they’ve been satisfied with. Ask to see their finished projects if possible.

• Contact your BBB for a list of BBB Accredited contractors and business reviews on businesses you’re considering. Visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301. The BBB eQuote program allows you to request bids from BBB Accredited Businesses directly from your BBB’s Web site.

• Get at least three bids in writing and compare bids based on the same warranty, materials, specifications, labor and time. Don’t make your decision solely based on the lowest bid. Contractor competence and your comfort level with them should be large factors in your decision.

• Use caution with those going door-to-door in your neighborhood or are putting flyers in mailboxes and claiming to be doing work with neighbors. Many fly-by-night businesses will falsely claim to have completed multiple projects in your neighborhood. Get references and place follow-up calls to verify validity and satisfaction of jobs performed.

• Beware of storm chasers. Storm chasers often include problem contractors who have temporarily come to the area seeking to take advantage of homeowners who suffered property damage from storms. Their substandard work and dubious deals can cost thousands and create serious headaches.

• Don’t pay large payments up front. Stagger payments according to work stages and don’t make a final payment until the job’s complete. Don’t pay in cash; pay by check or credit card.

• Make sure the contract is legible and dated, includes contact information, the payment plan and price, a detailed description of work to be performed, the completion date and both parties’ signatures. Never sign a blank contract.

John North is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.

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