Dealing with Contractors

[Diana]

We've all heard the horror stories... the contractors who take the money and run, the scam artists, the guys who do shoddy work. And add to this that contractors can easily put a lien against your house, and you have a recipe for disaster.

HOW TO HIRE & WORK WITH A CONTRACTOR
1) Try to get a referral from someone you know
2) Check references
3) Check the Better Business Bureau report (www.bbb.org)
4) Check out a contractor's reputation on Yahoo
5) Get at least 2 estimates; 3 are better
6) Define what needs to be done and don't give a contractor "carte blanche"
7) Get it in writing
8) Ask to see the work that was done
9) Take notes as the work is performed
10) Don't give the contractor more than half down

IF YOU THINK YOU WERE SWINDLED
1) Put a stop payment on your check
2) If the contractor has already deposited it, speak to a Bank President
3) Contact the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov)
4) Contact your State Attorney General
5) Contact the State Contractor Licensing Bureau
6) Call the manufacturer to see if the products were used properly
7) File a claim in Small Claim's Court