State offers advice regarding home improvement scams
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warns residents to take extra care and do their research before hiring a home improvement contractor, and offers the follow advice:
- Before signing a contract or making a payment, take your time and do your research. Contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at IndianaConsumer.com along with the Better Business Bureau for complaint information on contractors you are considering.
- Get bids from local contractors. Avoid contractors who spontaneously show up at your door offering a “bargain” price for painting, driveway sealing, roof repairs, etc. They may not be insured, may not be well qualified, and may be difficult to locate in the event of a problem.
- Get a written contract before making a payment. Indiana law requires home improvement contracts exceeding $150 to be in writing. Before signing the contract, make certain it includes:
- The price of the job
- Payment schedule
- A detailed description of the work and materials (including colors, brand names and patterns)
- Estimated start and completion dates
- The contractor’s name and address
- A name and telephone number of the person to contact if problems arise
- The contractor’s e-mail address
- The contractor’s signature
- You have a right to cancel the contract within three business days. Be sure the contract includes notice of that right and a form for doing so.
- Never pay for the entire project before the work begins. If a contractor insists on a substantial down payment, consider looking for another contractor. If you do make a down payment, remaining payments should be tied to completion of specified amounts of work.
- If the contractor is arranging financing, the contractor should provide you with an installment sale contract disclosing the following credit terms:
- Amount financed
- Finance charge
- Annual percentage rate
- Total of payments
- Total sale price, including any down payment
- Payment amounts and due dates
- Don’t make the final payment to the contractor until you know that all suppliers of materials and all subcontractors have been paid. You can insist on lien releases from each. If they have not been paid, they may file mechanic’s liens against your home.
Even if precautions are taken, problems may arise. Take time to talk to your contractor to resolve these issues. If problems continue, put your complaints in writing and send them to the contractor. Be sure to keep a copy of these complaints for your records. The Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General’s Office works to safeguard the rights of Indiana citizens every day. If you have questions or complaints regarding home improvement scams, or would like additional information and tips, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com.
Bartholomew’s 1892 School House burns down
A Bartholomew early morning fire consumed a one-room school house originally built in the late 19th century. The building which was on a farm near Petersville, Indiana was regularly vandalized by those trespassing, according to the owners of the property. Several local township fire departments collaborated in extinguishing the blaze. There were no reports of any injuries dur to the fire, and the cause is still under investigation.
Driver in Mooresville sought for hit and run incident with child bicyclist
Mooresville Police continue their search for the driver of a vehicle believed to have struck a young bicyclist on Monday evening. They as=k for the public’s assistance in finding a woman who drove a newer model white Ford Flex along the intersection of Indiana and High streets around 7:10 p.m. Monday. The woman drove north on Indiana Street, then turned west onto Main Street, police said. There was no report on if the child was injured in the crash. Anyone with information about the vehicle in question is encouraged to call Mooresville Police at 317-831-3434.