Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs

A less than reputable contractor:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Offers you discounts for finding other customers
• Just happens to have materials left over from a previous job
• Only accepts cash payments
• Asks you to get the required building permits
• Does not list a business number in the local telephone directory
• Tells you your job will be a "demonstration"
• Pressures you for an immediate decision
• Offers exceptionally long guarantees
• Asks you to pay for the entire job up-front
• Suggests that you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows. If you're not careful, you could lose your home through a home improvement loan scam.