The ten signs of possible contractor fraud!

1. An unsolicited contractor comes to your door asking to do work on your house that day. They indicate that they are doing work on other homes in the subdivision.
2. Pressure by the contractor to sign a work order or contract for work.
3. They want you to sign a blank contract with no price or specifications.
4. A price to do the work that is too good to be true.
5. They want you to pay for the job up front or want a very large deposit.
6. You can't verify that the contractor is licensed or certified to do the work.
You can't verify references they have given you.
7. Pressure to sign a completion statement before work is completed.
8. Asking to be paid in full before work is complete.
9. They can't verify that the materials being used are what was specified.
10. Be a smart consumer and make sure all your remodeling and renovation contracts with the builder are in writing. Also do not except a proposal from a contractor with the word estimate at the top. An estimate is just that, an estimate of cost for labor and material to do the work. Such a proposal may not be legally binding and can result in serious disputes. You want to know yours costs before the contractor starts any work. Make sure all change orders are in writing before the contractor makes any changes to the renovation project.