Posted by: thepinetree on 04/09/2014 10:32 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 04/11/2014 08:24 PM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM
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A Few Tips From The CSLB to Protect Yourself From Bad Contractors.
Calaveras County, CA...We have all either heard of, know someone or have ourselves been a victim of a bad contractor. There are, unfortunely, people out there who just want to take your money without doing any work...shocking, I know! It's such a big problem, that the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) conducts sting operations with local police to try and catch these "contractors". There is even a new T.V. show on Spike called Catch a Contractor. The show focuses on families who have been burned by someone promising work, but fail to follow through and were left with unfinished, and sometimes unsafe, living conditions. Like this family...
While it can be hard to avoid scammers, there are ways to protect yourself. The CSLB offers tips to help you pick the right contractor for your job. Here's a few...
- Hire only state-licensed contractors. Their license number should be displayed on every advertisement, business card and work truck. But don't rely solely on a visible number, double check it on the CSLB website. We've posted instructions on how to do this in a previous article, click here to check it out.
- Shop around before hiring a contractor. It's recommended to get at least three bids from three different contractors. But remember, the lowest bid doesn't always mean you're getting the best deal. There's usually a reason the bid is so low, either because lower quality materials are being used or the quality of the work being done is sub-par. Which could mean costly repairs later on.
- Never pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. Unscrupulous contractors will try to get as much money from you up front so they walk away with a decent "paycheck" without doing any work. Also, never pay in cash.
- Research the contractors you interview. Ask each contractor bidding for your project for at least three references. You could also search your contractors name online for customer reviews.
- Ask whether your contractor is insured. If your contractor doesn't carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance for their employees and a worker gets injured while working on your project, you could be stuck paying the medical bills.
If you're in the market for a contractor, don't get burned by a dishonest person posing as one. Protect yourself and your home by utilizing these tips from the CSLB. Head on over to their website for more information on what you should do before and during a construction project.
Give us a call if you're ready to talk to an experienced, honest contractor about your dreams for your home. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you found this article helpful and have questions about starting your home improvement project, don't hesitate to call us at 800-498-1833 or visit our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com.
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