County Executive and Director of Consumer Affairs Release Guidelines County Residents should Reference when Dealing with Home Improvement Contractors

Poughkeepsie - Every year the Dutchess County Department of Consumer Affairs receives inquiries from homeowners who are planning, or have already contracted for, home improvements, Many of these inquiries are actual complaints about incomplete or inferior workmanship, With the development and release of these guidelines, our goal is to educate consumers for problems that can be prevented before they occur, " Steinhaus said.

According to Nelson Kranker, the complaints have several things in common:

• They present a business card with the address and phone number of a local answering service, This gives the impression that the contractor has a local business address when they are in fact transients.

• The home improvement contractor states that he is working in the neighborhood and because of this, he can do the job cheaper.

• The contract is vague or nonexistent.

• When a problem arises and the consumer tries to reach the contractor, They can no longer be reached at the given location.
  

Tip-offs to unscrupulous 'Fly-By-Night" home improvement outfits that consumers should look out for are as follows:

• Arrival in an unmarked truck or van.

• Door-to-door sales claiming "we've just done a job nearby and have materials left over so we can do the job for half price."

• High pressure sales tactics.

• Refusal to give you a written estimate or contract,
  

Lastly, suggested guidelines to follow when dealing with contractors that will save time, money and aggravation, and allow for recourse, if necessary, are as follows:

• Use a local established contractor and ask the contractor for references.

• Obtain more than one estimate.

• Don't automatically choose the lowest bidder.

• Get a written contract spelling out all the details.
  

Steinhaus concluded, "We believe that most businesses are lawful and honest, but it is always in the consumers best interest to follow the old adage 'Buyer Beware."