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Community Corner

BBB Asks 27 Questions For Home Owners

The best way to avoid trouble with any business transaction is to be a knowledgeable consumer. BBB has prepared the following 27 Questions for Homeowners to quiz your knowledge about remodeling, re-roofing, re-siding, waterproofing and other home improvements.

Each question indicates an area in which complaints have been reported to BBB. Weigh every word carefully and check every question. If you already have an offer for the work compare it against the quiz and see if you should proceed. Regardless of all 27 Questions, if you find an advertiser is a "Bait" advertiser of any articles or services for the home, don't do business with them! Baiting is "Knocking" the advertised job or its unavailability. If they try to trick you by "Bait" advertising, the chances are they will try to trick you some other way too, for their profit and your loss. You can't trust a "Bait" Advertiser.

Remember: The reliability of the seller is a most important factor in the purchase of any article or service.

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Check each "Yes" or "No," then by adding up the total of your "minuses," you will have an idea as to whether you are ready to proceed.

  1. Do you know name of salesperson and name and local address of company?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

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  1. Do you know, or have you investigated to determine, before signing the contract, that the company is of good reputation, dependable, responsible?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Have you asked the salesperson or company for references? Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Does salesperson try to "high pressure" you into signing a contract?
    Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. Has the company or salesperson represented to you that your home would be used for advertising purposes, as a model job, or show-house, or by display of their sign, and that for this you would be given a special price?
    Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. If any guarantee is given, is it in writing in the contract, clear and specific as to what it means and as to what will be done in event of trouble? Yes +_____ No -_____

     
  2. In reference to long-time guarantees, have you reason to believe that the company will be in existence or financially able to or willing to fulfill the guarantee, 10, 15 or 20 years later?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Have you obtained more than one bid on the same job on exactly the same specifications? Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Are the salesperson and company authorized to represent the manufacturer they claim to represent?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Does company provide liability and compensation insurance to protect you in event of accident?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Do you know what brand, grade or quality of siding or shingles or roofing this company will use?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Do you know by what bank or financing agency your contract or note would be financed?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Before signing a contract, have you consulted your own bank or financing agency about financing this job?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. To arrange for an F.H.A. insured loan, or a loan from your bank, or by mortgage on your home, or by refinancing your mortgage, have you obtained estimates or quotations on the job, in order to consult the bank before signing a contract?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Has it been represented that F.H.A. has anything to do with performance of the company or guarantee of the job, other than merely insuring the loan granted by your bank?
    Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. If work is to be sublet, will you be protected against liens on your home?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Regarding any repairs for which you expect to collect insurance have you checked with the insurance company first, before signing a contract?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Does the contract contain the name and street address of company; specifications such as type and extent of work; when to be done or completed; areas; extras; description of materials such as quality, grade or name, weight, color, style, etc.; total cost, finance charges, annual percentage rate of interest, etc.?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Are the things you want done specified clearly in the contract?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Does the contract contain important verbal representations on which you depend?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Does the contract contain a provision for payment of damages by you if you cancel the contract? Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. Are you asked to sign the contract in blank? Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. Have you read and do you understand the contract completely before signing and are you to be given complete, readable copy signed by salesperson or company? Yes +____ No -_____

 

  1. Does your contract promise labor only, with you to pay in advance for or furnish all materials? Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. Are you asked to pay in advance, or to pay cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself? Yes -_____ No +_____

 

  1. If the contract is to be signed in your home, does it contain a three day recision or "cooling off" clause permitting you to cancel it without penalty?
    Yes +_____ No -_____

 

  1. Are you asked to sign a completion certificate for the job by appeal, threat, or trick, before the job is properly completed?
    Yes -_____ No +____

To check companies you can trust, please visit bbb.org.





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