Spring Forward with Home Improvement Awareness by

Spring is here and shady home improvement contractors know that this is the perfect time to target consumers for the home repairs, renovations, remodeling jobs homeowners saved money and longed for all winter long. These days, most of the ads are from handymen posting in the local newspaper or local grocery store bulletin, or the online marketplace where most consumers are more likely to seek a deal. Some even go as far as canvasing a neighborhood and leaving flyers in mailboxes, or on the homeowner’s front door.

If I had an ad for homeowners this spring, it would read, “Consumer Beware!”

Let me just say that the first mistake consumers make when hiring a home improvement contractor is not validating the contractor’s credentials before signing a contract, or paying any money. Consumers are too quick to believe what they are told by the fraudsters who, by the way, now appear to be more professional, convincing and persistent.

With technology being so accessible to everyone, anyone can make up a general contract, create a fake business name, and make up a MA Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration Number or Construction Supervisor License (CSL) which are necessary for most home improvement projects. As a homeowner, your job is to verify that the business is legitimate and established, and that their liability and workers compensation insurance policy is current. And, don’t forget to thoroughly check the three references provided to you.

Fraudulent home improvement contractors are also cloning the websites of other legitimate contractors, and modifying them to make it their own in order to convince you that they are an official business. Having a website

MILAGROS S. JOHNSON

does not necessarily mean that a business is legitimate or reputable. Remember to do an online search of the business name, followed by the word, “complaints.”

Following are other Rules of Thumb to better protect yourself from doing business with a fraudulent home improvement contractor or shady handyman:

• Most importantly, never rush with your decision • Once you’ve validated the business and narrowed your decision to one, make sure to get a written contract and read it thoroughly • Never pay more than one-third up front• Make sure the contractor obtains the permit with the city/town in his name • Take photos of the project phase (before, during and after) • Never pay with cash (or a gift card) and write the check to the business name only • Keep communication in a business-like manner

To learn more and for the link to “Avoid a Home Improvement Contractor Pitfall!” visit our website at www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/moci.

For more information, or to speak with a Consumer Specialist, call (413) 787-6437 or email us at moci@springfieldcityhall.com.

MILAGROS S. JOHNSON is the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information in Springfield, a Local Consumer Program funded by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.