Every BBB Accredited Business makes a commitment to act in accordance with principles that advance trust in the mar- ketplace. BBB Accreditation is an honor of which not every company is eligible. Start With Trust Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace. Advertise Honestly Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling. Tell the Truth Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms. Be Transparent Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly dis- close all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy. Honor Promises Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations. Be Responsive Address marketplace disputes quickly, pro- fessionally, and in good faith. Safeguard Privacy Protect any data collected against mishan- dling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information. Embody Integrity Approach all business dealings, market- place transactions and commitments with integrity. www.bbb.org Tips for Home Improvement & Remodeling Brought to you by YOUR BUSINESS NAME HERE / A BBB Accredited Business It is spring, a time when many people’s fancies turn to home improvement! Whether you are planning a small repair project, like repaving your driveway, or a more extensive project, like adding a family room to your home, it pays to look beyond the lowest bid when selecting a contractor. Right from the start, you can eliminate what are likely to be less-than-reputable contractors by considering a list of traits common to rip-off artists. Both the Fed- eral Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have found the following to be indication that a contractor may not be interested in satisfying customers: Solicits door-to-door: • Be suspicious of contractors who attempt to gain business by visiting door-to-door. Offers deep discounts for finding other customers: • Good contractors rely on referrals from satisfied customers or word-of-mouth advertising for a large percentage of their customer base. Their work does all the talking! Has materials left over from a previous job: • It is not your lucky day when a contractor shows up on your door step offering a cut-rate price on a project because they have materials left over from a recent job in your neighborhood. This is a common ploy of fly-by-night operators or handymen who are based out-of-state and use their pick-up trucks as their place of business. Asks you to get the required building permits: • This could be a sign that he is not licensed or registered, as required by your state or locality. Does not list a business phone number in the local directory: • This can be a red flag indicating the contractor does not have an established business presence in state. Or, that he perhaps relies on a home answering machine to screen customer calls. Pressures you for an immediate decision: • A reputable professional will recognize that you need time to consider many factors when deciding which contractor to hire. You will want to check references; look into the contractor’s standard of work and his professional designations and affiliations; verify his insurance; check to see if he needs a license (and if so, that it is valid); get written estimates from several firms based on identical project specifications, and, contact the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and local con- sumer protection agency to see if they have any information. Asks you to pay for the entire job up-front or demands only cash: • Whatever the reason, never pay for the entire project upfront. Payments should be by credit card or check so you can retain proof of payment, if needed. Do not make the final payment or sign an affidavit of final release un- til you are satisfied with the work and have proof that the subcontractors and suppliers have been paid. Suggests you borrow from a particular lender: • Do not agree to financ- ing through your contractor or someone he suggests. Many people have been taken advantage of when they agreed to use the suggested lender; sign a lot of papers in a rush; and find out later they had agreed to a home equity loan with a very high rate, points and fees. Secure financing on your own by shop- ping around and comparing loan terms. Tip-offs to Potential Rip-Offs What does it mean? BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESS BBB Standards for Trust