Cactus Village Community

BEFORE YOU SIGN!

Jul 10, 2003

Even if you are accustomed to doing most of your own home repair, you will, at some point, have to hire a contractor to work on large repairs. Many excellent contractors work in Arizona, however, there are some home repair workers and businesses that are out to take your money. Contractors who do work and charge more than $750.00 are required to be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. It takes only a little bit of time to do the research necessary to protect yourself.

Red Flags

?• Repair people dropping by and saying, ?“we just happen to be working in your neighborhood and have time to fix your house?” or ?“we have been working in your neighborhood and have leftover supplies we?’d like to use up?”.
?• Repair people who offer to do a ?“free?” safety inspection of your home.
?• Repair people who demand payment In cash.
?• Repair people who are unable or unwilling to provide references.
?• Repair people who take a ?“quick look?” and
then say you need a major repair.
?• Repair people who can?’t provide a local address or telephone number for their company.
Protect Yourself.
?• Ask for the contractor?’s license number and call the Registrar of Contractor?’s for information.
?• Use companies that provide free estimates. Get several estImates for every repair job and compare prices terms.
?• Ask your friends for recommendations or ask the firm for references. Check the references.
?• Check the identification of all workman and inspectors. Make sure they are employed by the company/contractor you hired.
?• Arrange to make payments in Installments and pay the last installment only after the job is completed to your satisfaction.
?• Always get a receipt.
?• Call the Registrar of Contractors if you are not satisfied with the work or if the contractor r is not responding to your requests to fix something.

Contact the Better Business Bureau at (602) 264-1721 or at www.phoenix.bbb.org and check them out!

Contact the Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 or at www.rc.state.az.us and check them out!

They can provide information on license status, previous complaints and the company?’s bond. The Registrar of Contractors can also tell you the name of the license holder, the type of the license, the name of the person qualifying for license, when the license was issued, and other important Information. Either spend ti time to check them out first or accept responsibility when things go wrong - It?’s Your Choice. . .☺