27 Questions For Home Owners
The best way to avoid trouble with any business
transaction is to be a knowledgeable consumer. Better
Business Bureau has prepared the following 27 Questions
For Homeowners to quiz your knowledge about remodeling,
re-roofing, re-siding, waterproofing and other home
improvements. Each question indicates an area in which
complaints have been reported to BBB. Weigh every word
carefully and check every question. If you already have
an offer for the work compare it against the quiz and
see if you should proceed. Regardless of all 27
Questions, if you find an advertiser is a "Bait"
advertiser of any articles or services for the home,
don't do business with them! Baiting is "Knocking" the
advertised job or its unavailability. If they try to
trick you by "Bait" advertising, the chances are they
will try to trick you some other way too, for their
profit and your loss. You can't trust a "Bait"
Advertiser.
Remember : The reliability of the
seller is a most important factor in the purchase of any
article or service.
Check each "Yes" or "No," then by adding up the total
of your "minuses," you will have an idea as to whether
you are ready to proceed.
- Do you know name of salesperson and name and
local address of company?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Do you know, or have you investigated to
determine, before signing the contract, that the
company is of good reputation, dependable,
responsible?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Have you asked the salesperson or company for
references? Yes +_____ No -_____
- Does salesperson try to "high pressure" you into
signing a contract?
Yes -_____ No +_____
- Has the company or salesperson represented to
you that your home would be used for advertising
purposes, as a model job, or show-house, or by
display of their sign, and that for this you would
be given a special price?
Yes -_____ No +_____
- If any guarantee is given, is it in writing in
the contract, clear and specific as to what it means
and as to what will be done in event of trouble? Yes
+_____ No -_____
- . In reference to long-time guarantees, have you
reason to believe that the company will be in
existence or financially able to or willing to
fulfill the guarantee, 10, 15 or 20 years later?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Have you obtained more than one bid on the same
job on exactly the same specifications? Yes +_____
No -_____
- Are the salesperson and company authorized to
represent the manufacturer they claim to represent?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Does company provide liability and compensation
insurance to protect you in event of accident?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Do you know what brand, grade or quality of
siding or shingles or roofing this company will use?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Do you know by what bank or financing agency
your contract or note would be financed?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Before signing a contract, have you consulted
your own bank or financing agency about financing
this job?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- To arrange for an F.H.A. insured loan, or a loan
from your bank, or by mortgage on your home, or by
refinancing your mortgage, have you obtained
estimates or quotations on the job, in order to
consult the bank before signing a contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Has it been represented that F.H.A. has anything
to do with performance of the company or guarantee
of the job, other than merely insuring the loan
granted by your bank?
Yes -_____ No +_____
- If work is to be sublet, will you be protected
against liens on your home?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Regarding any repairs for which you expect to
collect insurance have you checked with the
insurance company first, before signing a contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Does the contract contain the name and street
address of company; specifications such as type and
extent of work; when to be done or completed; areas;
extras; description of materials such as quality,
grade or name, weight, color, style, etc.; total
cost, finance charges, annual percentage rate of
interest, etc.?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Are the things you want done specified clearly
in the contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Does the contract contain important verbal
representations on which you depend?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Does the contract contain a provision for
payment of damages by you if you cancel the
contract? Yes -_____ No +_____
- Are you asked to sign the contract in blank? Yes
-_____ No +_____
- Have you read and do you understand the contract
completely before signing and are you to be given
complete, readable copy signed by salesperson or
company? Yes +____ No -_____
- Does your contract promise labor only, with you
to pay in advance for or furnish all materials? Yes
-_____ No +_____
- Are you asked to pay in advance, or to pay cash
to a salesperson instead of by check or money order
to the company itself? Yes -_____ No +_____
- If the contract is to be signed in your home,
does it contain a three day recision or "cooling
off" clause permitting you to cancel it without
penalty?
Yes +_____ No -_____
- Are you asked to sign a completion certificate
for the job by appeal, threat, or trick, before the
job is properly completed.
Yes -_____ No +____
