the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, as the warmer weather approaches each year, there are spikes in roofing and driveway repair scams. Dishonest contractors often target vulnerable homeowners in need of immediate repairs or replacements, promising attractive deals that, unfortunately, turn into nightmares. Falling for these scams can lead to substandard work, the need for additional costly repairs, and even outright fraud.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips on how to avoid contractor scams:
Be wary of unsolicited offers. Most scams involving contractors begin when a random contractor makes an effort to go out of their way to offer an estimate that was never requested.
Research companies and contractors before you hire. Start with BBB.org. If the contractor has multiple negative reviews and complaints, don’t hire them. A simple internet search often reveals companies or individuals involved in fraudulent activities or provided unsatisfactory work to previous clients.
Get everything in writing. Ask for an estimate in writing before payment is even discussed. Don’t let a contractor start working on a project until a written, signed contract outlining start and complete dates, a detailed description of the work, material costs, payment arrangements, and warranty information is provided.
Stagger payments. Most contractors will require a percentage of the total price upfront, but it should never be the full price before the work has begun. Instead, agree to stagger payments so that work can be inspected at various project stages.
Use safe payment methods. Paying with a credit card provides peace of mind since the credit card company will help you if the company is fraudulent. If you use a check, write it to a company, not an individual. Paying cash or using an electronic wallet app is risky since there is no way to stop the payment or get some money back if anything goes wrong.
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