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WARM WEATHER BRINGS OUT HOME IMPROVEMENT CON ARTISTS
May 16 , 2007
Milwaukee/NARI Reminds Homeowners to Beware of Scams
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reminds homeowners during National Home Improvement Month that along with warm weather often come the home improvement con artists.
As welcome as a spring blizzard and often as blustery, these con artists show up at your door offering an array of services from repaving your driveway to roof repair, and usually demand a hefty down payment up front. They might offer a "great deal," based on using materials left over from a previous job, but homeowners should remember that a "great deal" isn't always what it seems.
Frequently, these fly-by-night operators drive vehicles with out-of-state license plates, or set up temporary offices from which they can move quickly once authorities start looking for them.
Before writing that check, and especially before allowing any unknown individual into your home, Milwaukee/NARI suggests the following:
- Get the name and address of the company that person allegedly represents.
- Get all details of the offer in writing and carefully review it. Be sure you understand everything in the contract and that any verbal promises made are included in the contract.
- Determine how long the company has been in business and call organizations with which the contractor is affiliated, such as NARI or other trade associations, to determine the firm's legitimacy.
- Ask for references and contact each one.
“Remember that any legitimate company that wants your business will be more than willing to allow you the time to do your homework,” said Scott Cline, Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Inc., president and owner of J & B Construction Company in Milwaukee. “Don't fall prey to high-pressure tactics such as ‘this is the only chance you have’ or ‘by tomorrow the extra materials will be gone.’”
Milwaukee/NARI urges consumers to be skeptical if the contractor....
- Comes to your door unsolicited.
- Uses high-pressure sales tactics.
- Requests full payment before completing the work.
- Gives a post office box without a street address or phone number.
- Promises to begin and complete the work more quickly and cheaply than any other company.
- Says they just finished work on your neighbor's house and have just enough materials to do repair work on yours. They might say they can give you a better bargain if you let them do the work today since they have the supplies now.
The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARIthe National Association of the Remodeling Industry. With over 835 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the largest in the nation.
The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, sound business practices, and professionalism in the industry have led to the growth of the remodeling industry nationwide and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry.
For more information on the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI’s Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071
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