Government Warns of Unscrupulous Contractors

Addressing the possible damage that may be caused by Hurricane Igor this weekend, Government has warned of being scammed by unscrupulous contractors saying that after Hurricane Fabian they received “numerous complaints from consumers about various types of tradespersons who had taken advantage of some consumers,” and that “in some instances the tradesperson actually took money from the consumer and did not return to do the repairs.”

Their full statement follows below:

The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation in conjunction with the Department of Human Affairs and the Office of Consumer Affairs would like to remind the public to be careful when hiring contractors to do repairs to their properties if they suffer any hurricane damage.

With the approach of Hurricane Igor within the next 72 hours, it is anticipated that there may be damage to properties throughout the island. After the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Fabian in 2003, the Office of Consumer Affairs received numerous complaints from consumers about various types of tradespersons who had taken advantage of some consumers by inflating repair costs. In some instances the tradesperson actually took money from the consumer and did not return to do the repairs.

Consumer Affairs is therefore warning all residents to be cautious when hiring contractors for disaster repairs. Usually contractors involved in post-hurricane repairs are honest and truly want to help. Unfortunately, there are some who may try to take advantage of others’ misfortunes and vulnerability, especially our senior citizens.

Here are some guidelines to consider:

• After the hurricane, call your insurance agent so that the damage can be assessed.
• DO NOT RUSH into hiring anyone to do the repairs or settle for a quick fix. Take your time to have the repairs done right the first time or it may cost you more later on.
• If you have a regular contractor or other tradesperson, it may be wise to wait until he is available to do the repairs.
• Be alert specifically for phone or door-to-door solicitors who ask for cash deposits or advance payments in full. Also be careful of those who do not have their own tools and supplies to complete the repairs.
• No matter the size of the job, get a written quote and compare services and prices before making a final decision. Also read the fine print.
• Be aware an estimate is a provisional guide to what the likely costs might be, while a quote should represent the firm price.
• Check references as tradespersons should be willing to provide names of previous customers. Make sure you call former customers who have had similar work done to ensure they were satisfied with the job.
• Insist on a written contract. A complete contract should clearly state all tasks to be performed, all associated costs and the payment schedule. Never sign a blank contract or one with blank spaces. Have a lawyer review the contract if substantial costs are involved. Keep a copy for your records.
• Make final payments when the work is completed. Do not sign completion papers or make the final payment until the work is completed to your satisfaction. A reputable contractor or tradesperson will not threaten you or pressure you to sign if the job is not finished properly.

For additional information visit our website at www.ca.gov.bm .

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