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    • HBA Membership >
      • Membership Benefits
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      • Membership Q & A
      • Get Involved
    • Councils >
      • Triangle Sales and Marketing Council >
        • TSMC Events
        • 2022 MAME Awards >
          • MAME Awards
        • 2022 MAME Sponsors
        • Mentor Program
        • Big Give Back
        • About the TSMC
      • Remodelers Council >
        • Council Membership
        • Educational Resources
      • High Performance Building Council
      • Professional Women in Building
    • Member Directory >
      • Find a Member
    • Job Bank
    • Member Login
    • Community Involvement >
      • Operation Coming Home >
        • Upcoming OCH Events
        • About Operation Coming Home >
          • Apply for a Hero Home
          • Get Involved with OCH
        • Meet Our Heroes
        • Meet Our Partners
  • Homeowners
    • Home Building Resources >
      • Benefits of a New Home
      • Tax Benefits of Buying New
      • Not So Obvious Benefits of a New Home
      • High Performance Homes
      • How to Choose a Home Builder
      • Questions to Ask Your Home Builder
      • Top Home Buyer Features
      • Advice on Financing Your New Home
      • Before You Move In
    • Homeowner Resources >
      • Routine Home Maintenance
      • Exterior Home Painting Tips
      • Interior Design on a Budget
      • Avoid Summer Lawn Stress
      • Protect Your Home from Severe Weather
      • After a Storm
      • Avoid Contractor Scams
    • Remodeling Resources >
      • Thinking About Remodeling?
      • Hire a Professional Remodeler
      • 10 Tips To Remodel
      • Aging in Place Design
      • Understanding Remodeling
      • Wake County Remodeling Awards
  • Events
    • Calendar >
      • No Shave November - Fundraiser
      • January - 2022 Kickoff Event
      • March - Builder Appreciation Night
      • April - The Masked Singer!
      • May, September - Golf Tournaments
      • June - Battle of the Builders
      • July - Membership Networking
      • August - Realtor Bus Tour
      • October - Grill 'N' Chili Challenge
      • December - Installation & Hall of Fame Celebration
    • Education >
      • Classes
  • Advocacy
    • Local Issues
    • Vote
  • Home Tours
    • Parade of Homes
    • Remodelers Home Tour >
      • Remodeling Resources
    • Green Home Tour
  • About Us
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Find a Qualified Contractor

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                                                       Don't Get Scammed: Find a Qualified Contractor
​

There are thousands of legitimate, ethical contractors in business around the country. Unfortunately, there are also scam artists looking to cheat you out of your money who pose as legitimate contractors. These "fly-by-night" operators often show up in communities impacted by natural disasters to try to scam distressed home owners into paying for shoddy repairs or work that they will never show up to perform.

Here are some warning signs to look out for:


  • Doesn't have license and insurance. All professional contractors should be insured and able to show their certificate proving such insurance. Although all states do not require licensing, contractors in states requiring licenses should have it and be able to provide a copy.
  • Asks you to sign anything before you've hired them. If they want you to sign an "estimate" or "authorization" before you've made the decision to hire the contractor, look out. They may be trying to get you to sign what is an actual binding contract.
  • Doesn't write contracts. Professionals have clear contracts that outline the job, process, the cost, and helps clarify how problems will be managed. If you don't have a contract, you are not protected when something goes wrong. Don't hire anyone who tells you a contract "won't be necessary."
  • Requires cash or payment in full before starting the job. Shady contractors demand cash and then run with the money. Many home owners have been stranded by paying in full up front. A deposit towards materials is common, but only pay it once you have a contract signed by both you and the contractor. It's also suspect you're asked to pay cash to a salesperson instead of a check or money order to a company.
  • Vastly underbids all other contractors. They may have the best price, but that doesn't guarantee the best work. Such contractors may cut costs on quality, which can end up costing you more when you have to have the substandard work redone.
  • Offers "special" pricing. If you're told you’ve been “chosen” as a demonstration project at a special, low price, or you’re told a low price is good only if you sign a contract today.
  • Cannot provide customer references. Professional contractors should have current references they can provide from current and past clients — and you should be able to reach those references, not just an answering machine.
  • Difficulty contacting the contractor. Professionals have a physical office, mailing address, phone, and email. They should respond to your queries in a timely manner. Make sure you can verify the contractor’s business address. If they only have a p.o. box, be wary.
  • Tells you to obtain the building or remodeling permits. Professional contractors go to the county or state offices and get permits for their work themselves. Asking the home owner to do it is a sign that they are not a legitimate contractor.
  • Your best bet is to take your time, do your research and choose someone you feel completely comfortable with. If your state requires contractors to be licensed, look them up on the state licensing website even if you've seen a piece of paper that looks like a license. Make sure they don't have a record of consumer complaints lodged with your local Better Business Bureau.​
​Source NAHB

Find a professional

Contact Us

5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 115
​Raleigh, NC 27606

P: 919.233.2033 

Copyright 2016 Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.  
​All Rights Reserved.
5580 Centerview Drive, Ste. 115  |  Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: (919) 233-2033  |  Email Us
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