laouailleurs.net

By  Max Sheppard

Today’s lifestyles demand making the most of every minute of the day. Cell phones, fast food, and Internet banking have become commonplace in almost every household.

Not surprisingly, Internet dating and matchmaking web sites have become phenomenally popular as well. Last month alone, over 3 million dating/matchmaking searches were done by people seeking Mr. or Mrs. Right. Online Dating Magazine estimates Internet dating results in more than 120,000 marriages annually.

Another kind of Internet matchmaking service has also become highly popular. One for homeowners on a quest to find reputable contractors for remodeling, renovation, home repair, and new construction purposes.

As with any other resource, some are more dependable than others. In response to fierce competition, and enticement to attract more consumers, a growing number of service providers advertise prescreened contractors.

But does prescreening offer the consumer protection, or create risk hazards? What pitfalls might be involved when consumers fail to follow up with a screening process of their own?

Matchmaking Services with Prescreened Service Providers; Beware of Risks Involved

This popular contractor matching service maintains an extensive database of prescreened contractors.”

“Our free contractor referral service provides verified US insured and licensed contractors.”

“We prescreen all contractors before we choose to partner with them…a contractor must provide proof of insurance and licensing…and must also submit a solid list of previous customer references.”

Such are the assertions made by 3 different consumer-to-contractor matchmaking services that prescreen member service providers.

Sounds good; until one begins considering possible drawbacks. Or what dangers could be lurking behind such carefully worded sales pitches.

The first area of concern is that consumers can be lulled into a false sense of security by this type matchmaking service. Putting them at risk for hiring a contractor based upon old, outdated information.

Contractor proof of insurance, licensing, and other credentials that checked out even just a few short weeks prior could no longer be valid. And references offered at the time of membership, obsolete and no longer reflective of the contractor’s workmanship. In addition, any number of personal problems or health complications might have arisen that could affect the work quality or integrity of services.

The second area of concern is the screening process itself:

o how extensive is it

o “who” implements it

o what resources are used

Each of these aspects directly affect whether or not information gleaned is truly a reliable gauge as to the contractor’s professionalism, credibility, and reliability as a service provider – even at the time of membership.

Combine these concerns with the fact consumer-to-contractor prescreening service providers offer no written guarantee that contractor members will perform as expected. Or that licensing, insurance coverage and good standing as a service provider are still in tact at the time of hiring.

Contractor Fraud on the Rise

As the construction industry continues to boom across the United States and Canada, so do scam artists. A growing number of fraudulent contractors obtain huge sums of money upfront from unsuspecting business and homeowners. And then disappear before work is completed, or even begun.

Cases in point:

o Canada’s Alberta Government Services (AGS) issued a warning to residents after an Edmonton-based home renovator began bilking consumers out of huge sums of money.

o In a separate investigation, residents – especially senior citizens – were warned against roofing contractors that took large advance deposits, and then failed to complete work as promised.

o Arrest warrants were issued for a paving and sealing contractor on a variety of charges; including unfair business practices, direct selling without a license, and the use of unsuitable materials.

o Another Canadian service provider swindled more than $500,000 from four elderly women.

Americans face a similar trend. Corrupt construction companies cheat the federal government out of billions of taxpayer’s dollars annually. And, the post-Katrina massive market for new construction and home repair wrought an influx of contractor fraud to New Orleans. Bilked by contractors for millions of dollars, the most common fraud tactic consumers fell for was the request for too much money upfront.

As a result, social media editor for the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Deon Roberts, posted a report April 10, 2007 that stated the department had been flooded with queries by consumers researching homebuilder and contractor reputations. The BBB received 17,701 inquiries for roofing contractors; up from 4,967 the year before.

Construction and remodeling inquiries went from 3,728 to 12,802, and general contractor inquiries – up 16,208 from 3,547. A good sign that consumers are beginning to take the initiative to check out contractors before hiring, according to New Orleans BBB spokeswoman, Cynthia Albert.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) cites a statement made by Transparency International. They report that “Nowhere is corruption more ingrained than in the construction sector.”

As a result, the Transparency task committee compiled a formal “code of ethics” that includes such guidelines as “engineers shall adopt a zero-tolerance approach for bribery, fraud, deception, and corruption in any design or construction work in which they are engaged.”

Until things change and the tide turns, however, it is up to the consumer to make careful contractor selection; to avoid becoming a part of the growing number of construction fraud casualties.

Avoid Becoming a Statistic

Consumers risk paying a high cost for failure to critique service providers when it comes to new construction and home renovation. Fraudulent activity from crooked contractors costs consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually; whether from Workers’ Compensation fraud, code violations, poor workmanship, or projects abandoned before completion.

Homeowners digesting this information should be alarmed. And should exercise the same caution and credential verification when using prescreened contractor matchmaking services, as when using any other consumer-to-contractor service provider.

Ensure the Contractor You Hire is Legitimate

When all is said and done, there are no shortcuts. What makes more sense than putting blind trust in someone else to prescreen the contractor, is locating a consumer-to-contractor service provider that teaches you how to protect yourself by evaluating the contractor. And then helps guide you through the selection process to make a more informed decision:

o What to look for / what to avoid in a contractor

o Questions to ask

o How to interview

o How to check out references

o Resources to use in determining whether or not the contractor is reputable

As well as other useful information; such as obtaining quotes, formulating project plans, creating a materials list, what to include in the contract, how to handle consumer/contractor disagreements, and convenient copy-ready forms.

Make an Educated Hiring Decision

Project-owner-to-contractor services such as HandyAmerican.com and HandyCanadian.com offers consumers these type services, free of charge. Unique instructional articles that educate the consumer. Equipping them with the information required to make a better hiring decision; reducing risks, and helping to pave the way to project success.

Founder Max Sheppard urges consumers to protect themselves by qualifying a contractor before making a commitment.

“Check with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at a state or provincial level, if the contractor is certified, to see whether or not they are reputable. Or, if the contractor is registered, the local growth management department. Also check to ensure insurance and/or Workmen’s’ Compensation information is accurate.

“Request references from recently completed projects – not old, and take the time to check them out, as well. Also, discover whether or not the contractor has had grievances lodged against them by checking with the Better Business Bureau,” advises Sheppard.

Why? Because the bottom line is the responsibility to critique and select a qualified contractor rests on the shoulders of the person doing the hiring. The consumer and not the matchmaking service. Protect yourself; it only makes good sense.

Note: HandyCanadian.com, Handy American.com, and similar service providers can be found by doing a “project owner to contractor services” search online.

American consumers can visit HandyAmerican.com for more information on contractor hiring tips and home improvement articles. Canadian consumers visit HandyCanadian.com to browser our large selection of hiring tips and home improvement articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Sheppard