Taking the "Con" out of Contruction

A message from the Diamond Certified Consumer Report. Written by Chris Bjorklund: The Savvy Consumer.

As long as homeowners need repair work done, con artists will be looking for opportunities to prey on them. The only way to fight back is to get wise to their tactics and schemes. That’s why I want to share part of my interview with Kia Ricchi, a licensed contractor and author of a new book, Avoiding the Con in Construction, with you.

I asked her what some of the big red flags are to help you identify the fly-by-night contractors. She didn’t hesitate. “They can’t provide a license number. They have no physical address for their business. Their office is only a cell phone,” according to Ms. Ricchi. “They’ll balk if you ask for proof of worker’s comp, or a copy of their license.” She suggests checking state government websites to verify credentials.

Con artists use scare tactics. Ms. Ricchi describes a common one. “They might tell you that your house is not up to code. But that in and of itself may not mean you need the work done. Safety issues have to be addressed in a timely fashion, but often, even though codes have changed, you probably don’t need to rush into the job.” Discuss the problem with your local building inspectors before approving any work.

Here’s another tidbit from the book. Watch out for claims about “free money” for installing more energy efficient windows and doors or adding insulation. While some rebates are legitimate and available in certain counties, make sure you understand the process and program requirements before you sign a contract.