It's an age-old scam - con artists drive around after a big disaster, looking the part of professional contractors and looking out for damaged homes. They prey on desperate homeowners, happily taking their money while fully intending to a do a quick and shoddy job on the repairs (if they bother to do any repairs at all). Unfortunately, by the time the homeowners realize that their new contractors are not on the level, it's usually too late.
But you can understand how they got themselves into such a position. If a bad storm knocks a tree onto your roof and you've got water pouring into your home, you might jump at the first person who offers you help too. So what should you do to protect yourself from these scammers? Here are some tips.
- Get recommendations
The very first thing you should do when your home is damaged is to call your insurance company. Oftentimes, they will be able to recommend a local contractor that will be able to properly fix your problems. An insurance company's reputation often hangs on these recommendations so you can be sure that whoever they recommend will usually come with years of expertise and proven trustworthiness.
Once you have a contractor in mind (or one knocking on your door), you can also call the Better Business Bureau and state licensing agencies to make sure that the company checks out.
- Judge a book by the cover
This one may feel a little unfair, but it's still important. If a big storm damages your home, you can expect to have quite a few contractors knocking on your door offering to help. If the person at your door has stepped out of a beat-up truck with no company markings, some decrepit old tools in the back and doesn't look like a professional, well... there's a good chance he isn't. Granted, this isn't always true. Some great contractors simply focus more on their work than on keeping their appearances and equipment up to date. But hold onto your first impression. If it becomes the first in a series of warning signs, you may be better off choosing a contractor you're more comfortable with.
- Watch out for the "secret low price"
If your new contractor pulls you aside and says he's going to offer you a special price that you need to keep a secret, get out. There are only two possible explanations. Either he's going to offer you a very low price so that he can do a shoddy job and then vanish on you, or he's going to offer you a very high price and doesn't want you to be able to compare it with any others. Either way, the only reason he wants you to keep it a secret is so that no honest contractor can tell you you're being scammed. Don't do it.
- Hand me down materials
If your contractor tells you he can offer you a lower price because he has a surplus of material already that he'll be able to use, be wary. Contractors rarely keep a large inventory of materials. The best possible reason a contractor would have a surplus of material is because they vastly misjudged the amount of materials they would need for a previous job. That's not a good sign itself. Worse and even more likely reasons include the possibility that the materials are below-grade, second-hand or, worst of all, stolen. Either way, the contractor wants to get rid of the material quick and dump the consequences on you.
- High upfront costs
Never, ever pay a contractor the full price up front. You'll be required to provide a down payment of 20% to even 50% of the total cost, but do not pay the full price and don't pay the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work that has been completed.
Also, look out for contractors who offer a lower price if you can pay in cash. You can usually count on these contractors to not be paying taxes or insurance. Watch out.
- Suspicious lack of contact information
If the only thing you know about a contractor is their phone number, be careful. Any contractor who doesn't seem to have an office may be one who wants to be able to disappear as quickly as possible. Do some research, call the Better Business Bureau and check his references and past jobs to make sure you're dealing with someone who is legit.
These are just a few tips you can follow when trying to hire a contractor who is on the level. Most of all, try to use common sense and always do research on the person you are hiring. The vast majority of workers out there work hard and do their jobs right, but there are always some rotten apples and you definitely don't want to find out that you had one in your barrel after it's too late.
Lee Cameron is a professional REALTOR serving the leecameronrealtor.com Orlando real estate market. Lee has consistently proven his talent and knowledge in the real estate business and is known to his flair the business and the care with which he treats his clients. For more info on leecameronrealtor.com homes & properties in Orlando contact Lee today.
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