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
800-611-NARI 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 800-611-NARI.
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
800-611-6274
847-298-9225 Fax
smanola@nari.org
Website:
www.RemodelToday.com
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