Springtime is Scam-time

Friday, Apr 11, 2008

LITTLE ROCK – The spring season naturally motivates many Arkansans to get outside and tackle necessary home improvement projects that can't be done during the cold of the winter or the heat of the summer. At the same time, however, spring is also an ideal time for consumers to get cheated on home repairs. Home repair scams are not new, and seemingly grow in frequency each year. In 2007, the Public Protection Department of the Attorney General's Office received 293 complaints related to home repair and construction. Today, Attorney General McDaniel issued this consumer alert to help Arkansans recognize home repair scams and avoid falling victim to them.

"These problems can start with a phone call or a knock at your door," said Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, "but regardless of how they start, they usually end with consumers losing a lot of money and gaining more work to do."

The following are red flags for any consumer who is seeking hired help with home-improvements or repairs:

- You are contacted unsolicited.
- You are told that your work will cost less because there is "extra material" left over from a similar job in your neighborhood.
- You cannot find a business number for the company or contractor in the phonebook and can only reach the person by leaving messages with an answering service.
- You are asked to pay for the job upfront and in cash.
- You are told that your job will be a "demonstration project" for other potential customers.
- You are told that it is your responsibility to get the required permits.

In addition to these warning signs, consumers should consider taking the following steps before agreeing to hire someone to perform home repairs:

- Get recommendations and references. Talk to friends, family, and other people for whom the contractor has done similar work;
- Get at least three written estimates from contractors who have come to your home to evaluate the work to be done;
- Check out the contractor with your local or state consumer-protection officials;
- Insist on a complete written contract. Know exactly the work that will be done, the quality of the materials that will be used, warranties, timetables, the total price of the job, and the schedule of payments.

If you believe you have been a victim of a home repair scam, you may contact the Public Protection Department of the Arkansas Attorney General at (501) 682-2341 or toll-free at (800) 482-8982. You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bb.org/ and the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/.