Summer Is Prime Time For Contractor Con Artists

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By By Herb Weisbaum

Summary

Beware of anyone who shows up at your door and wants you to hire them on the spot.

Story Published: Jun 30, 2004 at 7:10 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:31 AM PDT

Summer Is Prime Time For Contractor Con Artists
SEATTLE - Summertime is prime time for contractor con artists. These fly-by night repair people do shoddy work, use inferior products, and they're nowhere to be found once you realize you've been taken.

Beware of anyone who shows up at your door and wants you to hire them on the spot. Here's a common come-on: "We're offering you a special price because we have material left-over from a job down the street." Ask yourself; if this contractor knows what he's doing, why didn't he know how much to order for that other job?

The smart way to hire a contractor is to compare bids from several companies. Get all the details in writing, including what materials will be used, when the job will start and when it will be done.

Then check them out. Talk to some past customers, contact the Better Business Bureau (www.thebbb.org). And make sure they are properly licensed, bonded and insured.

The statewide Contractor Registration Hotline is 1-800-647-0982. The Web site for verifying contractor registration is www.lni.wa.gov

Finally, don't always go with the lowest bid. Remember, you get what you pay for. Your goal is to get a qualified contractor who will give you a fair price and be there is there are any problems after the job is done.

For More Information:

www.bbb.org
www.ftc.gov/bcp
www.ftc.gov/bcp