Today's Tip: Home improvement contractors

Our Nor'easter left a mark on many communities and if your home or business now needs repairs - watch out.[br /][br /]Here's what you need to keep in mind when hiring someone:[br /][Ads /][br /][ul][li]Home improvement contractors who do more than $5,000 in Pennsylvania are required to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection.[/li][/ul][br /][br /][ul][li]Make sure the person you hire is registered and insured. You can check online. But also get references.[/li][/ul][br /][ul][li]Check out the contractor's previous work in person, and do an internet search on the contractor for complaints.[/li][/ul][br /][ul][li]Also get a written agreement and make sure the contract includes everything that's required - including an approximate start and completion date, materials used, and contact info for all subcontractors.[/li][/ul][br /][ul][li]The contractor must also provide you a notice of your right to cancel the contract within 3 business days from signing.[/li][/ul][br /][ul][li]And finally - don't overpay up front. For projects costing more than $5,000, contractors may NOT accept advance payment of more than one-third of the total price of the contract.[/li][/ul][br /][Ads /][br /]And beware of unsolicited door-to-door sales pitches, and offers to perform work using left over or discount materials. The Pennsylvania Attorney General says those are red flags.[br /][br /]Here are links for more information about safely hiring a contractor:[br /][url HREF="[br /]https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Consumers/Home_Improvement_Consumer_Information/Helpful_Home_Improvement_Information/" TARGET="blank" REL=""][br /][Ads /][br /]https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Consumers[/url][br /][br /][url HREF="https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Media_and_Resources/Press_Releases/Press_Release/?pid=3087" TARGET="blank" REL=""]https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Media_and_Resources/[/url][br /][br /]------[br /][ul][b][li][url HREF="https://wpvitv.formstack.com/forms/breaking_news_6abc" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Send a breaking news alert to Action News[/url][/li][br /][li][url HREF="https://wpvitv.formstack.com/forms/report_a_typo" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Report a correction or typo[/url][/li][br /][li][url HREF="http://6abc.com/apps/" TARGET="" REL=""]Learn more about the 6abc family of apps[/url][/li][/b][/ul]