| When you are considering house repair contractors, | | | | on the Internet can help you find out about home repair |
| you need to do a little research before you hire them. | | | | contractors and most home repair scams will make it |
| You want to make sure they are bonded and insured, | | | | to the Internet fairly quickly. That's not to say that a |
| but you also need to check references and see some | | | | new contractor in town might not be good, but it is |
| of the work they have done, if possible. Study any | | | | better to deal with an established business that has |
| contracts carefully and find out about mechanics liens | | | | been around for a number of years. |
| and other problems that could occur, when a | | | | With the economy in a declined state, some of the |
| contractor doesn't pay suppliers or subcontractors. | | | | contractors are nearing financial bankruptcy because |
| This can be important, especially on larger house | | | | new housing construction jobs have dried up. If you |
| repairs, because many of these contractors are | | | | can check with a home repair contractor's supplier, it |
| experiencing financial difficulties. | | | | might help you avoid a mechanic's lien that doesn't get |
| Checking with the Better Business Bureau and any | | | | released and might involve you paying the supplier |
| professional associations are another way you can | | | | again, even though you paid the contractor. |
| find out about contractors you are considering for your | | | | Sometimes, the best thing to do is to see if you can |
| home repairs. You can find out about a lot of | | | | pay for the materials directly to avoid this scenario. |
| contractors on the Internet, since many people will use | | | | Be sure and get mechanic lien releases signed by the |
| it to say good and bad things about many home repair | | | | suppliers and contractors you use for your home |
| contractors, including ones that are home repair scams. | | | | repairs. This can help you should you need to go to |
| It is best if you get several bids and the lowest price | | | | court to get them released. Once you have checked |
| doesn't always mean the best deal. If all bids are | | | | references, seen samples of their work, checked to |
| similar, it can be easier to decide than ones that are | | | | make sure they are bonded and insured and have |
| extremely different. Some people will go with the | | | | mechanic's lien documentation spelled out, you can |
| middle bid because one that is too low might mean | | | | proceed with fairly good assurance, if you have done |
| they will shortcut some items or use inferior materials, | | | | the research on the home repair contractor you have |
| but ones that are too high might not add any value. | | | | chosen. |
| Sometimes, one that is in the middle are the choice | | | | The best way to avoid house repair scams is to do |
| many people choose for their home repairs, but price | | | | your research and don't settle on the lowest price, if |
| should not be the deciding factor. | | | | they are lacking any of these other things. It can make |
| Most contractors will have references you can check | | | | the difference of thousands of dollars in litigation, |
| to get an idea of their work. Checking with the | | | | release of liens and re-doing a poor home repair job. |
| references and checking any reviews or comments | | | | |