What Should You Look For When Contemplating Home Remodeling or Repairs, and Madigan Goes After More Home Repair Contractors
Last week we brought you the complaint against Castle Construction. This week, we feature another move by Attorney General Lisa Madigan on behalf of home-owners across the state.
With the spring remodeling season underway and construction beginning for many, Madigan addressed the issue – from her press release:
“Home repair, remodeling and construction complaints consistently rank among the top that my office’s Consumer Fraud Bureau receives each year, especially during the warmer months,” Madigan said. “Consumers need to make sure to ask questions before choosing a contractor so that they can avoid the types of companies we have sued today.”
To that end, the Attorney General’s office brought several suits against:
- Boss Construction, Inc., a New Lenox, Ill., based company that sells and installs gutters, downspouts, roofing, siding, doors and windows, and its President Steven R. Smith,
- Alpine Glass & Window Co., a Wilmette, Ill.-based window and door installation company, and its President Carol L. Bernahl,
- John M. Burow, doing business as John’s Home Repair, a Willow Springs, Ill.-based home repair service,
- Shane Rasmussen and Paul Haley of 123 General Construction, Inc., a Frankfort-based remodeling company,
- American Dream General Construction Company, based in Berwyn, Ill., and its President Carlos Villalvazo.
We have the complaint against American Dream and Villalvazo here.
The acts alleged in the complaint are important for home-owners and can act as a guideline or at least offer some insight about things to look for when contracting for repair and remodeling work:
- Make sure your contractor is licensed as a roofing contractor if they’re doing roofing work for you;
- Don’t let payments in advance of work get too costly, you should see some performance before they start taking your money, and then payments should be made incrementally, but not without a waiver (see below);
- Ask for your consumer rights pamphlet on home repair “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” made public by the Attorney General’s office;
- Check the construction permits to make sure they’re accurate and valid;
- Get a full accounting and demand a written sworn statement and waiver of lien before you make any payments… do not give over any form of large down-payment;
- Know about your three-day right to cancel;
- Do your research – How was this company recommended? Are they a company? Are there online comments about the company or its work? – Is a license required for their specialty?
- If you’re having trouble getting in touch with your contractor, or your phone calls aren’t being returned, you may think about contacting someone who can help;
Protecting yourself and your rights is the first step in making sure you don’t get taken for a ride.
The Southtown Star has also published an article on this matter.
