Kathy Torline-Nordstrom, ABR, CRS, SRES, SFR, E-Pro

Home repair is #1 scam in Colorado

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The Denver Post recently published an article about the the ANNUAL LIST of scams published by the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau.  The Pikes Peak Better Business Bureau has a very similar list published on their web site.  Drum roll please ............., #1 on the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau list:

• Home Repair swindles.   The article states " Due to the historic storms Colorado saw in the summer of 2009, countless unscrupulous contractors swarmed into the state to take advantage of damaged property owners. Some of the worst problems reported involved contracts that required all insurance money be owned to the contractor, even if the consumer cancels before work begins, inflated costs and high-pressure sales."

Here's some suggestions on how to avoid the scam artists:

1. Ask to see references including name, phone numbers, and email. Then follow up with the references.
2. Check and see if the company belongs to the Better Business Bureau.  (See related article:  Don’t forget about the Better Business Bureau)
3. Ask if the contractor is licensed.  In Colorado Springs, you can check with web for the Pikes Peak Regional Building Association for this information or you can call them.
4. Be very suspicious of anyone who knocks on the door offering to do home repairs.
5. Get written estimates, and get estimates from several different contractors.  The lowest price is not always the best.  Make sure your are comparing "apples to apples" when comparing the estimates.
6. Avoid paying large sums in advance.   Never pay for the entire job before starts.the project even starts.