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Jewish World Review Sept. 11, 2007 / 29 Elul, 5767 Do your homework before home repairs By Vicki Lee Parker
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT) So often in this column I have preached due diligence. Before signing any contract, particularly ones involving home improvement and home repair jobs, check out the business or handyman you're considering. Just when I think I dare not go there again, I get an e-mail from Shea Denning and realize that the warning bears repeating. Denning is an assistant professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Earlier this year, she hired a local building contractor to remodel her basement. He was recommended by an old college friend, so she didn't bother to thoroughly investigate his background. For example, she didn't check to see if his company was licensed with the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. She eventually learned that he wasn't. "Frankly, I just assumed that he wouldn't be bidding on the job if he didn't have a license," Denning said. He estimated the job would cost about $60,000 and asked for 40 percent up front. Denning paid the $24,000 and waited for the work to start. That was May. She's still waiting. Denning admits that she should have known better. She wanted to share her story to remind others to do their homework. The first thing you should know is that there are far more honest building contractors than dishonest ones. And they are willing to provide all the necessary documents, certifications and references that the consumer needs to make a sound business decision. "If they are not willing to provide references, just dismiss them immediately," said Therese Crahan, executive director of the National Association of Homebuilders. Terri Pullen, co-owner of Pullen Construction in Raleigh, N.C., said that too often people want the work to begin immediately and they don't take the time to find out who they are working with. "People have got to slow down," said Pullen. "They just need to do the common sense thing and take the time to go through the references." So if you are planning to have renovations done to your home, before hiring the contractor:
Certainly, a person can do all of the above and still get taken for a ride. If that happens and you exhaust all your options trying to get a refund, including taking the company to court, you may be able to recoup part of your loss from the General Board of Contractors' Homeowners Recovery Fund. However, you are only eligible to apply to this fund if the contractor is licensed in the state or applied for a building permit for your address. Because neither of these conditions applied in Denning's case, she didn't qualify for the refund. Don't make her mistake. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Vicki Lee Parker is a columnist for The News & Observer. Comment by clicking here.
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