Tip for Avoiding Contractor Scams

Most deck contractors are honest, hardworking individuals who seek to satisfy homeowners by giving their all to their customer’s home improvement projects. After all, it would be pretty hard for a contractor to get repeat business if their work was shoddy or if they deliberately cheated their customers. However, there are those exceptions. Some contractors take short cuts and are either incompetent or unconcerned with quality. Some contractors prey upon their customers rather than seek to satisfy their needs. Here are some tips to ensure that your next remodeling project goes smoothly and that you avoid scammers who prey upon homeowners.

• Avoid using door-to-door salesmen: Good custom deck contractors in NJ and anywhere else in the country do not need to go door to door to solicit customers. They earn their business through referrals from satisfied customers. If you are approached by someone trying to pressure you into building your deck or making any other home improvement project, tell him or her to just keep walking.
• Get referrals and do backgrounds checks: Before hiring a deck contractor, make sure to check with some of their former customers. Ask them if they were satisfied with the quality of the work provided by the company. Any reputable contractor will be only glad to put you in contact with former customers. Finally, check the background of any company you are considering doing business with.
• Get it in writing: As Judge Judy is fond of saying, “A verbal contract is not worth the paper it is written on.” Get everything in writing before hiring a contractor. This helps to avoid potential misunderstandings in the future and helps protect you and the contractor.
• As for his/her credentials: You should always check to be sure that you contractor has the proper licensing and insurance and that he/she can provide proof upon request. Also, before you begin a project check your local building inspection department to see what you and he/she is permitted to do.
• Never pay great sums upfront: There is nothing wrong if a contractor asks you to pay some money upfront but if he or she demands that you pay more than a third upfront then this is a red flag. He or she may simply disappear after payment.

At Decks by Ziec we have worked hard to build and preserve our reputation and the reputation of our industry. We have heard the horror stories and we want to help make sure that no homeowner is the object of crooked or inept Deck contractors in NJ. 
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