Spring is here! Time to clean up, but beware!
By Simone Gaunt and Laura Feakes
The warm weather is approaching, the sun is high in the sky and you have taken a walk around your home and found that old man winter has left you with some much-needed repairs. Who should you call?
Perhaps a "contractor" knocks on your door, offering to fix a problem he's noticed.
Or, maybe he tells you that he was in the neighborhood and happens to have extra asphalt he can use to pave your driveway for almost nothing. The problem is, these "contractors" often ask for cash up front and then either never start the project or leave it half finished, disappearing forever with your money, and leaving you with a mess.
Don't be made to feel like you have to do anything right away. Before hiring any contractor, do your homework.
Ask for his registration number, place of business and customer references. Drive out and look at some of his previous projects. Most contractors need to be registered with the state. Call the Board of Building Regulations and Standards at 1-617-727-3200 to verify whether the contractor is registered, or whether he is exempt. If he needs to be registered, and isn't, don't hire him.
Next, get a detailed written proposal signed by the contractor. This must include the total price, work to be done, and the start and finish dates for the project.
Never pay for anything before you and the contractor sign the contract. By law, contractors may not request more than a one-third down payment on any job, unless special materials need to be ordered and you agree to this.
Make sure contractors apply for a building permit for your project. If you don't you are giving away important protections. Call an office below to check a contractor's complaint history and to get a copy of the Attorney General's Guide to Home Improvement Contracting. Attorney General's Elder Hotline 1-800-243-5337 Berkshire County District Attorney's Office 443-5951
Simone Gaunt & Laura Feakes are Elder Services’ Information and Referral Specialists
