MY TURN By Ray Venema

It pays to be a skeptic It’s quite possible that journalists are some of the world’s greatest skeptics. One adage, famous among reporters, advises: “If your grandmother says she loves you, check it out!” It pays to have a little skepticism when you are hiring a home improvement contractor as well. Every year, I hear news reports of scam artists posing as contractors who manage to collect money for sealing driveways, replacing roofs and other jobs that were never completed. To address this problem, Pennsylvania adopted a law that took effect July 1. To stay legal, home improvement contractors must register with the state attorney general’s office and use contracts that meet the law’s requirements. I hope this will help people hire legitimate contractors and help authorities track down those acting unscrupulously. If you are hiring a contractor, make sure they are registered and get a copy of their registration number. Verify the name of the contractor’s business, the business phone number, and take a drive to the physical location of his business. Difficulty confirming this basic information is a clear warning sign of trouble ahead. This new law doesn’t cover everything, however - and you are not removed from the responsibility of hiring the right person. Scam artists often provide low quotes for work because they ignore the law or they have no intention of doing the work. Because scam artists are only interested in taking money fast, they aren’t likely to be on file with your local builders association and they probably won’t provide proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance to you. That’s why you should get references from a local builders association and demand to see proof of insurance. Only you know exactly what you would like done and with whom you are comfortable working. For that reason, we recommend consumers interview at least three contractors and get written estimates from each of them. If you are seriously considering a contractor, get references and make some calls. After you have done this homework, it’s time to mull over the information and select the best candidate. Ask yourself some questions: With whom do I feel most comfortable? Was I able to easily communicate with the contractors? Do they understand my needs? Am I assured they do high-quality work? When you decide to go ahead with a job, get a written contract. The new registration law sets strict guidelines for contracts and requires the use of written contracts for all jobs over $500. As a consumer, you even have the right to cancel a contract within three days of when it’s signed - under certain conditions. Never allow yourself to be pressured into immediate decisions - especially with contractors hawking “leftover materials” from a job in your neighborhood. The deadline for registration under the new law is approaching quickly. If you contact a home improvement contractor who isn’t registered, you may want to remind him or her that they must be registered by July 1 to continue doing business legally. The Pennsylvania Builders Association has worked to educate its members about the registration process since the law was passed last year. Our staff has met with thousands of contractors at seminars and answered hundreds of questions. We have led the way to make sure builders association members will be able to continue operating their businesses, providing top-notch home improvements while meeting the requirements of this new law. About 14,000 contractors have registered, at a rate of 400 daily in early June - but some people like to wait until the last minute. PBA and local builders associations will continue to be the source of information for these contractors who need information about staying legal. We’re also helping to educate consumers, just as we have for the past decade. Homeowners may request our free brochure, “How to find a reputable contractor,” by calling 800-692-7339 or by visiting the consumer section of our web site at PaBuilders.org. Ray Venema is the owner of Susquehanna Builders in Montoursville and the 2009 secretary of the Pennsylvania Builders Association.