If you have found someone to take care of numerous home maintenance and repair tasks, ask him or her which contractors you should approach when major repairs are needed.

Warning signs:

• You can’t verify the name, address, and telephone number of the contractor’s business.
• A salesperson approaches you door-to-door or by phone and tries to pressure you into signing a contract through scare tactics, threats, or intimidation.
• A company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes – as a model job or show home – and that their sign will be displayed – all in return for you receiving a “cut-rate discount” on services rendered.
• A contractor tells you it is a special price available “Only if you sign the contract TODAY.”
• The contractor does not follow through on your request for references.
• You are unable to verify that the contractor has adequate insurance coverage.
• You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay cash to a sales person instead of a check or money order to the company itself.