Nixon warns against home-repair scams

Already this year, Nixon’s office has received hundreds of complaints about home-repair contractors, according to a news release, and Nixon expects that number will keep growing with the arrival of spring and summer weather.

Warnings

“Along with warm weather, flowers, grass and trees coming back, an unfortunate spring tradition is the home repair con artist,” Nixon said in the release. “Every year we see criminals going door-to-door and using other tricks to rip off Missouri consumers.”

Nixon warns consumers to be on the lookout for evidence of fraud.

Specifically, he said consumers should be suspicious of workers who solicit business door-to-door, particularly after a damaging storm; drive vehicles that are unmarked or have out-of-state license plates; ask for full payment in advance; have no physical address, just a phone or post office box; ask for an immediate decision; or don’t carry identification.

Tips

Nixon also offers these tips for choosing a home repair company:

• Hire companies that are known or recommended. Check companies’ records with the local Better Business Bureau or Nixon’s Consumer Complaint Hotline at (800) 392-8222.

• Check credentials. Verify telephone numbers and addresses in the phone book. Also check for county or city permits, and ask if the company is licensed, bonded and insured.

• Get at least two estimates, and a third, if possible.

• Get all agreements in writing, including description of the job, completion dates and price.

• Pay in full only when the work is finished as outlined by the agreement.

Some contractors may not offer a contract, preferring instead to operate with handshake agreements.

In these cases, consumers can draft their own contracts using a worksheet available from the Consumer Corner section of the Attorney General’s Web site, www.moago.org.