Warning bells
“I'm working nearby, and I have some
extra materials...”
“You have to act today to get this amazing offer...”
“I can give you a deal if you pay cash...”
“We'd like to make your home a showcase for our work...”
“Twenty-five percent is a standard deposit...”
Fraud-stopping tips
- Get at least three estimates.
- Cash “deals” can cost you more in the long run.
- Ask for names of previous customers, and contact them.
- Contact your local Better Business Bureau and government licensing bodies.
- Get as many details as possible written into the contract.
- Know your legal rights.
- Hold back 10 percent of the total fee for 45 days after completion of the work. While affording you an opportunity to inspect the completed job carefully before making the final payment, the real intent of the law is to protect you from liens that unpaid subcontractors are allowed to place against a home they've worked on if they're not paid by the main contractor.
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