The home repair industry has been an easy target for scam artists all across the country and in the Chicagoland area. Because of their deceptive practices, many homeowners are apprehensive about trusting anyone to perform repairs in their home. However, you can trust that the same high quality standards that Four Seasons uses in our HVAC services are brought to our home repair services as well. With all of the damage that the Blizzard of 2011 has caused to our homes, illegitimate home repair companies are going to start popping up all over the city. Keep your home and your money safe and remember Four Seasons.
Take a Breath and Don’t Panic
Many homeowners will call the first company they come across because they want the job done as fast as possible, and we can’t blame them for wanting to put their home back in one piece. But, acting too quickly could end up costing you if you accidentally choose the wrong company. Extensive research is needed in order to determine if a company is legitimate, yet many homeowners fail to recognize the warning signs that these “fly by night” contractors show when trying to sell their “services.” Some of these warning signs include:
- Unsolicited Offers: Door to door salesmen and telemarketing are common types of unsolicited offers, and they should be avoided.
- Demanding a Cash Deposit: Honest contractors will often require a deposit before beginning the work, but the difference is that scam artists will ask for the deposit in cash or ask for a large portion of the promised price for the job. If you pay these guys up front for the majority of the cost of repairs, there is a good chance they will never return.
- High Pressure Sales Tactics: This method of selling a job is pushy and inconsiderate of your needs as a homeowner. These contractors will use fake special offers and maybe even try to scare you into signing the contract right on the spot.
- Left over Materials: If a contractor offers you left over materials from another job at a discounted price, do not fall for this scam. Odds are these materials are low quality, and there is a possibility that the previous homeowner canceled work with them because they found out they were illegitimate.
- No Company Car/ Uniform: If a repairman claims to be from a professional company, he should have some sort of proof of this. Whether it is a company truck or a uniform, it is a good sign that they are better established. Also, remember to check license plates to see if they are from this state.
- Check with the BBB and Your City: Contractors have to be licensed to work in many cities, and if your town government or local BBB has no clue who these guys are, they are probably not legitimate.
Soon the streets of Chicago will be prowled by scammers looking to make a quick buck. Although it may take a little more research, taking the time to find the right company will save you big bucks in the end. Four Seasons Home Services wants you to take the time to look into our track record. With 40 years of reliable service under our belts, we know that you will like what you find.
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Tags: BBB, blizzard, Chicago, door to door, Four Seasons, fraud, Harvey, home repair, home service, IL, Mokena, Oak Brook, save money, scams