We all want our homes to look great and be as efficient as possible. That’s why we invest so much time and money into them, right? There’s nothing worse than saving up for a big home improvement project, finding a contractor to get the work started, and being ripped off and left high and dry. Unfortunately, more and more people are experiencing scams, so all of us at Farmingville Masonry & Concrete Supply want to help you avoid them. We’ve put together a simple guide to help you steer clear of scammers and find the right contractor to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.
One scam we see quite a few people falling for is the door-to-door contractor. Someone knocks on the door, tells you they’re offering a great deal on roofing, kitchen upgrades, etc. and wants to take a look inside. If they try offering you a one-day-only deal or tell you they have leftover materials from a nearby project, steer clear! If someone is actually a well-known, hard-working contractor, they’ll likely be too busy to take time going door to door all day.To find the right contractor, look at online listings with reviews from actual customers and ask family and friends for referrals. There are also resources like the Better Business Bureau where you can get an accurate description of contractor’s’ work histories. It’s also vital to make sure all of their licensing and proof of liability insurance is up to date. If they refuse to offer it up, look elsewhere.
It’s also a good idea to have a few different contractors come to your home and give you an idea of how long it will take as well as how expensive and extensive the project will be. A lower bid might sound great, but someone saying they’ll do the job for an extremely small amount of money should be a red flag.
Another thing you should NEVER do is pay your contractor the full amount upfront. Very few reputable contractors will actually ask you to do that and they could easily skip town once they’ve received their money. You should also always pay with a bankcard or credit card or write a check to have proof of payment.
Last but not least, educate others about all of these scams. If you find out about someone taking advantage of other homeowners, don’t be afraid to let people know and report them.
Here at Farmingville Masonry & Concrete Supply, we do the job right the first time and are here to make all of your home improvement project dreams come true. We value our customers and hope that none of you have fallen victim to these types of scams. Rest assured, we can repair any unfinished jobs and would love to help you plan out new ones! Get in touch with us today to get started.