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Hiring a Home Repair Contractor
by: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (New Orleans office)

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1.     Get Several Estimates

Make sure that each contractor bids on exactly the same work.  All bids should be itemized.

Some contractors will make high bids to see if they get a sucker.  Don't be a sucker.  Get several bids.

2.      Know Who You Are Dealing With

  • Avoid door-to-door salesmen or repairmen.
  • Find out the contractor's address and verify it.
  • Ask for references.  Check with past customers.
  • Call the Better Business Bureau for past complaints on the contractor
  • Do not give bank account or credit card numbers by phone.

3.      Avoid Advance Payments if Possible

Reputable contractors normally do not require large down payments.  Payments should be made by check.

4.      Get a Written Contract

Make sure you read all papers before signing.  Do not accept verbal agreements.  Any changes in the contract should be written out and signed by you and the contractor.

5.      Your Contract Should Include:

  • The total cost of the services.
  • Exact description of job to be done.  Do not let the contractor talk you into unnecessary repairs.
  • The time period to complete the job.
  • Type and quality of materials that will be used and written guarantees for materials and workmanship.
  • Keep a copy of the contract and payment receipts in a safe place.

6.      Canceling a Contract

You have 3 business days to cancel a home repair contract sold by a door-to-door salesman.  Be sure to follow the rules for canceling the contract.

7.      Proof of Insurance

Make sure that the contractor has general liability and workers' compensation insurance.

8.      Hold Back Full Payment

Do not pay money to the contractor until the job has been satisfactorily completed.  Inspect the work before final payment. 

Last Reviewed On: 07/23/09
 
 

Información en Español sigue el Inglés. 

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Information Not Legal Advice. This web site has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this web site is not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific facts of each situation. Some information in this web site may not be correct for where you are.  The information in this web site is not guaranteed to be up-to-date.  The information in this web site cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state.

Lawyer Advertising. In some jurisdictions this web site may be considered lawyer advertising. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Any listing of an attorney does not constitute a recommendation of the attorney. Before hiring any attorney, you should investigate the attorney's reputation and qualifications.

Links. This web site contains links to other resources on the Internet. Those links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons or entities who created such sites, nor are the links intended to state or imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

E-mail. Viewing this Web site, or transmitting an e-mail message through this Web site, does not create an attorney-client relationship. Sending e-mail to an attorney mentioned in this site does NOT create an attorney-client relationship between you and the attorney. Unless you are already a client of the attorney, your e-mail may NOT be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Moreover, unless it is encrypted, e-mail can be intercepted by persons other than the recipient. Deadlines are extremely important in most legal matters. You may lose important legal rights if you do not hire an attorney immediately to advise you. Many people do not check their e-mail daily, and some attorneys do not respond to unsolicited e-mail from non-clients.

 

Information, Not Legal Advice. 

Esto es solamente información, no es consejo legal.

 

This web site has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this web site is not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific facts of each situation. Some information in this web site may not be correct for where you are.  The information in this web site is not guaranteed to be up-to-date.  The information in this web site cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state.

 

Este sitio del Internet fue preparado para dar solamente información.  La información en este sitio no es consejo legal.  Consejo legal depende de los datos específicos y las circunstancias de cada situación.  Es posible que alguna información en este sitio no comporte con el área o la jurisdicción donde usted vive.  Es posible que la información en este sitio no esté corriente.  La información en este sitio no puede sustituir el consejo de un abogado competente y licenciado en su estado.

Lawyer Advertising. In some jurisdictions this web site may be considered lawyer advertising. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Propaganda de Abogados. En algunas jurisdicciones, este sitio puede ser considerado propaganda de abogados. Contratar con un abogado es una decisión importante que no debe depender solamente sobre anuncios.

Any listing of an attorney does not constitute a recommendation of the attorney. Before hiring any attorney, you should investigate the attorney's reputation and qualifications.

Información sobre un abogado no es una recomendación del abogado.  Antes de contratar con un abogado, usted debe investigar la reputación y las capacidades del abogado.

Links. This web site contains links to other resources on the Internet. Those links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons or entities who created such site, nor are the links intended to state or imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

Conexiones. Este sitio tiene conexiones a otros recursos del Internet.  El sitio ofrece estos conexiones para ayudarle identificar y localizar otros recursos del Internet que pueden ser beneficiosos.  Estas conexiones no declaran o insinúan que nosotros patrocinamos o que estamos asociados con las personas o entidades que han creado cualquier otro sitio. Los conexiones no declaran o insinúan que nosotros podemos legalmente usar cada nombre de comercios, marca registrada, logotipo, sello legal, o símbolo de los derechos reservados de autor que estén reflejados en las conexiones.

E-mail. Viewing this Web site, or transmitting an e-mail message through this Web site, does not create an attorney-client relationship. Sending e-mail to an attorney mentioned in this site does NOT create an attorney-client relationship between you and the attorney. Unless you are already a client of the attorney, your e-mail may NOT be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Moreover, unless it is encrypted, e-mail can be intercepted by persons other than the recipient. Deadlines are extremely important in most legal matters. You may lose important legal rights if you do not hire an attorney immediately to advise you. Many people do not check their e-mail daily, and some attorneys do not respond to unsolicited e-mail from non-clients.

Correo Electrónico.  Si usted mira este sitio, o si usted envía un mensaje de correo electrónico por este sitio,  esta acción no crea un relación entre abogado y cliente.  Usted no tiene relación entre abogado y cliente si usted envía correo electrónico a un abogado que el sitio mencionado.  Si usted no es un cliente del abogado, es posible que su correo electrónico a este abogado no tendrá protección del privilegio entre abogados y clientes.  Si su correo electrónico no tiene clave secreta electrónica, es posible que su correo electrónico pueda ser interceptado por otras personas que no son el recipiente. 

Fechas topes son muy importantes en la mayoría del los asuntos legales. Usted puede perder derechos importantes si usted no contrata con un abogado inmediatamente quien le pueda dar consejo legal. Muchas personas no miran el correo electrónico cada día, y algunos abogados no responden a correo electrónico que no es solicitado de las personas que no son clientes.

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