The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office issued an alert to warn residents on ways to avoid being scammed when hiring a contractor, according to a release from the Prosecutor’s office.
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This alert is part of an initiative to help people understand what the red flags are in potential contractor fraud, the release said.
The first sign of a potential scam is if the contractor asks for large amounts of money upfront for the cost of materials and equipment. Prosecutors said to be aware that many states have limits on what a contractor is able to charge before work has begun.
Under Ohio Provisions regarding Home Construction Service Suppliers, a home construction service supplier cannot take more than 10% of the total price of the contract before beginning to work, according to the Prosecutor’s office.
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Another sign of a potential scam is a lack of a contract. Prosecutor’s say this can lead to the contractor requesting additional money for unforeseen problems.
Include provisions on how these problems will be handled in the initial contract, the release said.
If a door to door contractor approaches you at your house, do not hire them on the spot. Prosecutor’s suggest looking into the contractor’s credentials to determine if they are reputable, according to the release.
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Prosecutor’s suggest anyone who feels they may be getting scammed to call the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s office: 937-225-5757.
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