![]() ![]() Keep notes and copies of letters and documents for your files.Request a return receipt, so you can prove that the company got your letter. Follow any phone conversations with a letter you send by certified mail.Many disputes can be resolved at this level. First try to resolve it with the contractor.If you have a problem with a home improvement project Never transfer your deed to anyone without consulting an attorney, a knowledgeable family member, or someone else you trust.Don’t let anyone pressure you into signing any document.This lets you read and understand the contract before you sign the English version. If you talk with a salesperson or contractor in a language other than English, depending on where you live and what you’re buying, you may be entitled to get a copy of the contract in that language. Don’t sign a document you haven’t read, is in a language you don’t understand, or that has blank spaces. ![]() Never agree to any loan without understanding the terms of the loan and knowing whether you can make the payments.Never agree to financing through your contractor without shopping around and comparing loan terms.What’s worse, the work on your home isn’t done right or isn’t completed, and the contractor - who may already have been paid by the lender - has stopped returning your calls. Later, you find out you’ve agreed to a home equity loan with a high interest rate, points, and fees. They may be blank - or he might hustle you along and not give you time to read through them. After he starts work, he asks you to sign papers. He says he can arrange financing through a lender he knows. He offers a deal to install a new roof or remodel your kitchen. Here’s how it works: a contractor calls or comes to your door. Sometimes, they’ll actually set up a scam that ends with a loan against your home. ![]() Sometimes, contractors will not just scam you through the work they do - or don’t do. ![]() And never make the final payment until the work is done and you’re satisfied with it. Contact your state or local consumer agency to find out the law in your area. Some states actually limit the amount of money a contractor can ask for as a down payment. Don’t pay the full amount for the project up front.a written statement of your right to cancel the contract within three business days, if you signed it in your home or at a location other than the seller’s permanent place of businessĪnd, make sure all blank spaces are filled in.any promises made during conversations or calls related to issues such as the scope of work and the cost of labor and materials.the contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number.Before you sign a contract, make sure it includes Even if your state doesn’t require a written agreement, ask for one. And ask for an explanation if there’s a big difference among the estimates. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. A written estimate should include a description of the work to be done, materials, completion date, and the price. Read customer reviews to find out more about the contractor and use online rating websites you trust to see what others are saying about the contractor. Also search online for the company’s name with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Check with the local Home Builders Association and consumer protection officials to see if they have complaints against a contractor.Get contractor recommendations from people you know and trust.Consider only contractors who are licensed and insured. Check with your state or county government to confirm a contractor’s license, and ask the contractor for proof of insurance.Here's some advice to help protect yourself and your money: Scammers suggest you borrow money from a lender they know.Scammers ask you to get any required building permits.Scammers ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash.Scammers pressure you for an immediate decision.Scammers say they have materials left over from a previous job.Scammers knock on your door looking for business because they are “in the area.”.How can you tell if a contractor might not be reputable? Here are some tactics scammers use: Identity Theft and Online Security Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items.Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items.Money-Making Opportunities and Investments.Jobs and Making Money Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items.Credit, Loans, and Debt Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items.Shopping and Donating Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items. ![]()
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