Warm Weather Brings Con Artists
NARI Reminds Homeowners to Beware of Home Improvement Scams
DES PLAINES, Illinois, May7, 2007 /National Association of the Remodeling Industry/ -- The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reminds homeowners during National Home Improvement Month that along with warm weather often come the home improvement con artists.
As welcome as a spring blizzard and often as blustery, these con artists show up at your door offering an array of services repaving your driveway to roof repair, and usually demand a hefty down payment up front. They might offer a “great deal,” based on using materials left over from a previous job, but homeowners should remember that a “great deal” isn’t always what it seems.
Frequently, these fly-by-night operators drive vehicles with out-of-state license plates, or set up temporary offices from which they can move quickly once authorities start looking for them.
Before writing that check, and especially before allowing any unknown individual into your home, NARI suggests that you:
Get the name and address of the company that person allegedly represents.
Get all details of the offer in writing and carefully review it. Be sure you understand everything in the contract and that any verbal promises made are included in the contract.
Determine how long the company has been in business and call organizations with which the contractor is affiliated, such as NARI or other trade associations, to determine the firm's legitimacy.
Ask for references and contact each one.
Remember that any legitimate company that wants your business will be more than willing to allow you the time to do your homework. Don't fall prey to high-pressure tactics such as “this is the only chance you have" or "by tomorrow the extra materials will be gone."
Be skeptical if they….
Come to your door unsolicited.
Use high-pressure sales tactics.
Request full payment before completing the work.
Give a post office box without a street address or phone number.
Promise to begin and complete the work more quickly and cheaply than any other company.
Say they just finished work on your neighbor’s house and have just enough materials to do repair work on yours. They might say they can give you a better bargain if you let them do the work today since they have the supplies now.
NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers.
The remodeling market, projected to be a $291.5 billion industry in the U.S. in 2006, is expected to continue to experience steady growth. It is estimated that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling.
NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.
Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional,” or visit www.RemodelToday.com and click on the homeowner’s guide for more information.
About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,400 member companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines, Illinois — is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”TM For membership information, or to locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s website at www.RemodelToday.com , or contact the national headquarters office at .
Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry
CONTACT: Stephanie Manola Marketing & Communications Assistant
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
780 Lee Street, Suite 200
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Fax
Website: www.RemodelToday.com
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