| Unemployment rates are soaring and our economy is | | | | highest number of consumer complaints. What an |
| in crisis. Desperate times call for desperate measures. | | | | honor. |
| Individuals frantic to put food on their tables are opting | | | | The reality is, there are and will continue to be |
| for a default career putting out their "contractor" | | | | "contractor" horror stories, so although there is some |
| shingle whether they are qualified or not. Shocking but | | | | attention given to this industry, it is generally negative |
| true, Real Estate agents are regulated more stringently | | | | and creates more challenges or most assuredly angst |
| about selling a home than builders are about the | | | | and cause for concern for homeowners needing |
| product that they are creating. | | | | home improvement services. There are plenty of |
| The myth is that there are regulations in the building | | | | reputable, professionals out there, take a look around |
| industry. There are no regulations, codes of conduct or | | | | your neighborhood, there are clearly more positive |
| ethics, licensing or certifications that can guarantee that | | | | home improvement projects and stories than there are |
| who you are hiring or the work that you are | | | | negative ones. |
| contracting to have done has any framework that is | | | | The question is how do you sort through it all to find a |
| universally agreed upon let alone defining what | | | | contractor or particular home improvement services |
| "professional" means in this industry. There is no | | | | when you need them? Educate yourself. Understand |
| assurance that a homeowner is getting what they | | | | what you need to know before you hire anyone to do |
| need, let alone what they are paying for. And they are | | | | anything in your home. Know that licensing can mean |
| paying plenty. 200 billion dollars was spent on home | | | | next to nothing depending on what state or county |
| improvements and repairs in the United States last | | | | your home resides in. Honor the professionals who are |
| year. 66% of the jobs in the US are building related, all | | | | in this business for the right reasons. |
| the more baffling that there is so little accountability or | | | | Ensure that your contractor is committed to |
| attention given to this industry when it is unquestionably, | | | | maximizing the investment, efficiency and value of |
| big business, any way you look at it. | | | | your property while minimizing utilities and ongoing |
| Contractors are less trustworthy than used car | | | | maintenance costs, with bona fide building practices, |
| salesmen. Nationally syndicated home improvement | | | | quality control and integrity that meets your |
| radio show host, Don Zemen, reports statistics | | | | expectations by talking directly to actual clients, seeing |
| released from the Consumer Federation of America, | | | | real projects and knowing who you are letting into your |
| which place contractors at the top of the list, with the | | | | home before you sign anything! |