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Home & Garden Articles
How to Avoid Home Owner Scams
Fri 13 Jun 2008 - 10:00
How to Avoid Home Owner Scams
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elvis_Foote]Elvis Foote
Everywhere homeowners are being the victims of fraud through home repair costs. A vast majority of these victims are seniors. The home building industry has joined forces with the police and seniors groups to help identify fraudulent practices and avoid dishonest contractors.
So how do you stop this type of illegal activity? Through consumer education and vigorous action by police and the courts. Unfortunately seniors are the most targeted because of their willingness to trust strangers who sound sincere. Long gone are the trusted "handshake" deals. The old adage still applies, that when it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There is a set pattern that most dishonest contractors seem to follow. And it usually goes this way.
A person claiming to represent a home repair contractor will suddenly appear at your door. Because they explain, they are working in the neighbourhood and they noticed that your house is in need of repair. It could be anything from worn out shingles, old windows that need replacing, faulty bricks to driveway cracking. You then will be offered a "special discount" or a "seniors discount" because the contractor is in the area or has left over material from another job. But the catch is that in order to get this wonderful price, YOU HAVE TO ACT FAST!!
If you take the bait you will be asked to sign a contract, on the spot. Once signed you may also be asked to make a down payment towards the cost of the work. So what happens next? Well a number of things may happen.
Some people who hand over a substantial deposit find that the contractor "suddenly" disappears, never to be seen again. Or the work does get done but what
you ended up paying is considerably higher than the normal market price. Or worse yet, he may start the job but not finish it. Costing you more money in the end to repair what he started.
Many police forces operate crime prevention programs aimed at helping seniors and other people to avoid getting scammed by this type of fraud.
So what type of contractors should you avoid? Well there are few warning signs to watch out for.
1. If they knock on your door offering you a special discount because they are in the neighbourhood.
2. Promise you a discount if they can use your house to advertise their work. Everyone else in your neighbourhood probably got the same offer.
3. Offer a lifetime warranty
4. Quote a price without seeing the job or do a free inspection of your home, then suggest you need major repairs.
5. Demand a large down payment in order to purchase supplies
6. Suggest that you do not need a written contract outlying what they will do or dissuade you from getting other estimates.`
7. If they object or cannot supply proof of insurance or Workplace Safety Certificates.
Yes it is very important to make sure that whoever you have working on your home that they are checked out carefully. Have a detailed signed contract that will ensure that the contractor is operating his business properly and have the contractor provide you with references. http://www.theshoppboxebookreviews.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elvis_Foote http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Avoid-Home-Owner-Scams&id=1239624
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