Selecting A Contractor

Home improvements consistently rank #1 in complaints against businesses. Home improvement projects can be difficult for even the most skilled & conscientious professionals. There are no competency standards for contractors. Worse yet, there are some home improvement companies that are downright dishonest. Here are some things to look out for when dealing with a contractor.

High Pressure Sales Tactics
The salesman won't leave you until you sign the agreement. The trade lingo for this type of sale is the one stop close. Phony techniques such as calling the sales manager for a "special discount" or offering a "Trade-in allowance" are common.

Their Prices Are Too Low.
The company promises quality and service that's never delivered. You pay your money but no work gets done. Getting the work done takes forever including a lot of phone calls and hassles on your part. The company may offer extras, but they're not delivered.

Their Prices Are Too High
You should shop around because some companies may charge 2 times what a reputable firm may charge. Often a slick contractor will pressure you to sign a contract on the spot, hoping that you won't have the opportunity to get another quote and discover that you've been over charged.

Before you sign on the dotted line...we recommend that you check out the following:

• Make sure the company
  - listens to your needs
  - demonstrates a high level of knowledge
  - explains your project clearly
• Does the company have
  - workers compensation insurance
  - several years in business
• Does the company
  - offer multiple references
  - have reasonable prices
  - employ skilled installers
• Does the company offer a written
  - contract that you can understand
  - warranty for their workmanship
  - satisfaction guaranteed