The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving eastern and Northern Ontario and the Outaouais is guiding those who will be doing renovations by helping them make sound purchasing decisions.
During the past 12 months, the BBB has responded to more than 35,200 inquiries on contractors in every type of industry. Of that total, 29 per cent were about roofing contractors, 12 per cent about heating contractors and 11 per cent concerned general contractors. Ten per cent concerned paving contractors, 8 per cent were generated by landscape contractors, 4 per cent by swimming pool contractors and 4 per cent by concrete contractors.
Those are the major ones.
In the last year, the BBB has handled over 200 contractor-related complaints. Most (24.5 per cent) concerned roofers. General, landscape and heating contractors represented about 14 per cent of complaints each, while paving contractors generated the fifth largest group of complaints.
The BBB suggests that consumers and businesses check the reliability report of companies before doing business with them. The BBB reports on all businesses based on the documented information provided by consumers and companies. The information is available online at the Web site indicated below.
Before you invest, investigate. Inquire with your BBB and spend your money wisely.
The BBB also encourages companies to promote self-regulation within their industry and support ethical practices in the marketplace through their BBB membership.
Remember, consumers trust and use businesses that are members of the BBB. There is one thing a business can’t economize on - its reputation.
The service offered by the BBB can be accessed 24/7 through the Web site at www.easternontario.bbb.org or by dialing (613) 237-4856 or 1-877-859-8566 to reach our automated system.
Diane Iadeluca is the executive director of the Better Business Bureau serving eastern and Northern Ontario.
Choosing a contractor
**Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor or builder has any complaints against them.
**Obtain at least three bids and compare them. Make sure the contractor’s bid specifies the materials to be used, including quantity, brand, size, colour, etc. Keep in mind that the lowest bid is not always the best.
**Make sure the contractor’s paperwork is in order. Ask to see the contractor’s licence and certificates of insurance. Contact the
licensing board to verify. Contractors are required to obtain licenses from province and/or city.
**Ask for references and check them out.
**Find out who will be doing the actual work - the contractor’s employees or sub-contractors. If the firm uses sub-contractors for some of their work, you will need to research the reputation of the sub-contractor, as well. You also want to determine who will be responsible for problems down the road. Issues such as these should be resolved before construction begins.
**Do not be pressured into signing a contract right away. Take your time and review the contract carefully. If you do not understand the contract, do not sign it!
**Make sure all warranties for labour and materials are in writing.
**When paying for the work, never pay in cash. Use your credit card, cheque or money order. And, never pay the full amount up front.
