Be wary of quick-fix home repair deals

It’s only been a few weeks since we said good night to Irene, but the scammers and shady contractors are already out in force. I have read and heard recently of several scams.

One of the most common scams is a contractor who collects an upfront fee to work on someone’s home and then disappears. Another is an unlicensed or unqualified contractor advertising low cost repairs or contractors who use shoddy materials and cut corners.

To protect victims of Irene from being victimized again, I have compiled some tips for hiring qualified people to work on repairing damage to your home.

Don’t be rushed. Be suspicious of contractors who try to rush you on a repair, especially non-emergency repairs.

Likewise, don’t believe any contractor who tells you he’s backed by the federal government. He’s not.

Ask for identification. Write down the number on his driver’s license and also the license plate number of his vehicle.

Ask to see the contractor’s proof of liability insurance and worker’s comp insurance. Make sure he is licensed and bonded. Otherwise, you may be liable if the contractor has an accident on the job.

Ask for references – and check them.

Check out candidates online and with the Better Business Bureau and state attorney general’s office.

Never give anyone a deposit until you have checked them out.

Don’t pay for the job upfront. A deposit is just that: a deposit.

Get a written contract of the scope of the work, a timetable for finishing it and a payment schedule, including what is to be finished before the next payment. The written terms should also include prices for labor and materials.

Be careful about spending large sums on temporary repairs. Payments for temporary repairs are covered as part of the total insurance settlement. If you spend too much on temporary repairs, you may not have enough to make permanent repairs.

Never pay in cash.

Never sign over an insurance settlement check to a contractor.

Never sign a satisfactory completion of work until you are satisfied – and the work satisfies and receives building code and other approvals.