REPAIRS BBB warns about scams

Avoid down payments on work, a contractor said.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Snowy winters can do damage to the exterior of property, leaving its condition less than ideal when spring arrives.
But before you repair the worn shingles on a roof or the nasty cracks in a driveway, the Better Business Bureau of Mahoning Valley has some tips on picking the right business to do the job.
Beth Stricko, director of the bureau's marketing and public relations, warns consumers to be careful of businesses offering really low prices.
She said customers should always receive several estimates before making their decision. An extremely low figure should set off warning signs about the quality of service the business will be providing.
"Cheaper is not always better," she said. "You have to be comparing apples to apples."
Stricko also said to be leery of businesses that advertise door to door and ask for all of the money to be paid before the job gets under way.
The bureau recommends paying a down payment but then paying the rest through installments with the total balance never to be paid until after the job is complete.
All checks should be made payable to the company rather than the salesperson.
"Some always want the money up front," Stricko said.
"Then the job never gets done or the workmanship is so poor you have to call someone else to redo the job."
Here's the rule
Jerry Nasseri, president of Nasco Roofing and Construction Co., Youngstown, said most down payments should be avoided completely. He said most contractors do not need to pay for labor and supplies until a month into the job.
"I have no idea why anybody would fall into that [down payments]," Nasseri said. "Never give money down."
Nasseri said Nasco typically does not request any payment until the job is complete.
The BBB also recommends consumers talk to neighbors who refer the business, research its background through the bureau and finalize a contract before the work begins with a start date and an estimated end date.
Rich Kali, owner of Landscape by Design in Boardman, said his company's contracts list everything from the start of the project to the terms of the cleanup after the completion.
He added that consumers should be able to quickly identify the professionals.
"You can tell the difference between somebody who looks the part and who doesn't," Kali said.
His company provides consumers with a scrapbook of previous work during the estimate and then completes a full proposal after the estimate.
Cooling-off period
Stricko said any contract should include a notice of the "three-day cooling off rule" mandated by the Federal Trade Commission.
Under the rule, consumers have three business days to cancel any agreement made outside of the normal business setting.
Typically, that applies to agreements made at a consumer's home.
"Sometimes, people decide they can't afford it," Stricko said. "Maybe it sounds like a good idea at the time."
Nasseri said the cooling-off period is to the customer's advantage but does not affect businesses in most cases.
He said his company goes beyond the three-day period and will allow any cancellation of the contract up until work begins.
"The majority of time, it's not feasible to start within three days," Nasseri said.
"We take pride in that we want a customer's business, but we are not dying for their business. They can always pull out for whatever reason. We don't want to force them into a decision."
Consumers can find more information on businesses which are BBB members, and tips on how to avoid a scam, at www.youngstownbbb.org.