Chief’s Column: Avoid being taken in by fraudulent contractors

Many residents are considering large home improvement projects that may require contractors to get the job done. Because of this, I thought I’d repost this column on contractor fraud and how you can protect yourself.

QUESTION: My home was damaged during a recent storm. I’ve been in touch with the insurance company and now I have to find a contractor to do the repairs. Do you have any advice to homeowners to help avoid being taken in by fraudulent contractors?

ANSWER: When hiring a contractor, the best advice we can offer is to do your homework and be sure to shop smart. While the law provides protection from fraudulent or incompetent contractors, it doesn’t guarantee honest transactions or perfect performance. Protect your investment by being an informed, cautious consumer. The Grafton Police Department would like to offer the following tips obtained from Attorney General Maura Healey’s Consumer Guide to Home Improvement. For more information, please go to www.mass.gov.ago.

Home Improvement Checklist

• To preserve your consumer protections, check to see that your contractor has complied with the home improvement registration requirements, and that he or she is currently registered with the state.
• Verify the name, address, telephone number, the credentials, and references of the contractor before you enter into any home improvement agreement.
• Solicit at least two or three bids from contractors for your project, and get complete, written estimates for the detailed specifications included in your home improvement plan.
• Include in your contract all the terms, conditions, warranties, and verbal promises concerning your home improvement project.Do not sign a contract until you have thoroughly read and understood all its provisions, notices, and terms.
• Never sign a written agreement that is not completely filled out.
• Obtain and keep copies of every written document, including contracts and receipts from suppliers and others providing materials for your project.
• Take your time, and do not submit to high pressure sales tactics by a contractor or sales representative.
• Know about your three-day cancellation rights, and do not hesitate to cancel a home improvement contract if you are not completely satisfied with it.
• Never pay for the entire job in advance or make scheduled payments before the agreed-upon terms are met and the work is completed to your full satisfaction.
• Do not sign a completion certificate until the work is done fully and properly according to the specifications and timeline in the contract.
• Insist that the contractor pull all permits for the job. Never pull your own permit.

Be wary of contractors who:

• Provide credentials or references that can’t be verified.
• Offer a special price only if you sign today or use other high-pressure sales techniques.
• Accept only cash, require large deposits or the entire cost up front or ask you to make the payment in their name.
• Do not provide a written contract or complete bid.
• Ask you to pick up the building permit. The contractor is required to take out the permits. Permits are your protection and help ensure that work will meet local building codes.
• Offer exceptionally long warranties.
• Want to do most or all the work on weekends and after-hours.
• Give you an offer that sounds “too good to be true.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police