In Westchester County, some contractors have built a bad reputation

Most of the contractors I've dealt with have been upstanding citizens, but in Westchester County, New York, home-improvement pros again headed the 2008 top-10 list of complaints filed by residents there, according to a March 3 release from the county's Department of Consumer Affairs.

Home-improvement contractors were the subject of 357 of the more than 1,500 complaints the department received. The county issued 121 summons to unlicensed contractors and began enforcing a new law that allows for the seizure of tools and trucks. Gasoline sales, furniture stores, specialty services (including collection agencies and home-security companies), motor-vehicle sales, heating-oil companies, food stores, professional services, utilities, and department stores made up the rest of the list.

To try to avoid hassles on your next project, use our advice for hiring a contractor, finding a handyman, and choosing between a contractor or the services at a home-improvement center. And learn how to keep yourself from getting scammed by burglar-alarm companies, duct-cleaning services, and chimney sweeps.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Read about New York State's Know Your Contractor Web site, launched last fall to help consumers avoid getting ripped off by shady pros.

Comments

[Liquid Roof]

Thanks For the Information, but bro all contractors are not like this type: I am also a contractor

[Michael McCann RA]

Good information given above. All reputable contractors will have good references which can be checked out, certificates of insurance for liability and workers compensation and past work that can be verified. Deal with a licensed architect with extensive residential experience and a proven knowledge of building costs. An architect must take a rigorous examination given by the state and must keep up with continuing education to maintain their license. Design build is a good way for the owner to deal efficiently with one person throughout the process.