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Consumer Guide: Home Repairs

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From 8 On Your Side of News Channel 8

Published: April 2, 2008

DO:

1. Determine how long a contractor has been in business.

2. Check for complaints with your local or state consumer protection agencies, (ie: Department of Business and Professional Regulation(DBPR) Customer Contact Center at (850)-487-1395, Better Business Division, Better Business Bureau, Division of Consumer Affairs.)

From The Department Of Business And Professional Regulation (DPBR)

3. Get estimates from several different contractors.

4. Be cautious of the contractor who offers the fastest, cheapest job, on a "now or never" basis.

5. Make certain the contractor obtains all necessary permits.

6. Be sure you have a "clean up" clause in your agreement if it is needed.

7. Check all possible financing arrangement before proceeding.

8. Consult your insurance agent before you sign the contract if repairs are to be covered by your insurance.

9. Ask for references of persons for whom the contractor has done work, and check them out.

10. Arrange to pay after the work is finished or in partial payments as the work progresses.

DON'T:

1. ACCEPT SOMEONE'S WORD AS A CONTRACT.

2. Sign a work completion certificate until the work is done to contractual satisfaction.

3. Pay cash.

4. Yield to "high pressure" sales pitch.

5. Be misled by implied warranties.

6. Sign a blank contract

7. Sign a contract until you have read all of it, including the hard to read small print.

CON ARTISTS HAVE BEEN KNOW TO FREQUENTLY USE THE FOLLOWING METHOD OF OPERATION:

A) Solicit door-to-door (they have usually "just finished a job down the street").

B) Have a post office box address with no street address or use motels or parking lots as an address or use an answering service as an address.

C) Promise to use your home as a "demo" at a bargain price.

D) Bait you with one cheap service (wash job) and high pressure you (possibly with fear tactics) into a much more expensive, unneeded job.

FACTS!!

All contractors must be registered and certified by the Construction Industry Licensing Board and have a city and/or county occupational license.

Florida Law requires that any contract for home improvements and repairs may be cancelled without penalty or obligation within 72 hours of the signing of the contract. A statement of the "Consumers Rights of Cancellation" must appear on the contract.

You may demand a notarized "waiver of lien" (before making a final payment) stating that all sub-contractors and suppliers be paid in full.

Florida Law requires that a contract be signed for any home improvement costing more than $100.00, all blanks filled in, construction completion date, contractor's name and address, description of work to be completed, any financing information that is required by law, any warranty agreements.

There are many legitimate businesses throughout the state of Florida and in your own community who are honestly striving to perform a needed service. Seek them out; you have probably known them for a long time and will feel very secure using their service.

Above all investigate BEFORE you invest !!!!!

Provided by "8 On Your Side" with help from the Better Business Bureau.

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