DB:impr.pr                  96-   Contact: Sue Rogan, 217-7391


OCA Offers Tips for Hiring              
Home Improvement Contractors    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 1996         

     With the return of spring, many Montgomery County consumers will
be hiring home improvement contractors to repair their homes.
The County's Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) recommends that
consumers take the following steps before beginning any home
improvement work:
     1)   Find out if the firm is licensed and how long it has been in
business.  As a general rule, the longer the firm has been in
business, the better chance you have that the work will be
completed properly.  Call the Maryland Home Improvement
Commission in Baltimore at 1-410-333-6309 for this information.
     2)   Get more than one estimate.  Make sure price comparisons are
for the same procedures and materials.
     3)   Check to see if the company has any complaints filed
against it.  Call OCA at 301-217-7373, the Better Business Bureau
at 202-393-8000 and the Maryland Home Improvement Commission for
this information.
     4)   Beware of any contractor who solicits you by saying they
have material left over from another job and could do your roof,
driveway, etc. with this material, thereby saving you money.
Most of these solicitations are made by unlicensed and
disreputable contractors.         (more)

OCA Offers Tips for Hiring Contractors                           2-2-2-2       

     5)   Ask the contractor for the names of suppliers he deals with.
The supplier may be able to tell you if the contractor is a long-
time customer who pays his bills -- a good indication of
reliability.  Also ask for names and phone numbers of previous
customers who live in your area and find out if they are
satisfied.  If possible, see the work that was done.
     6)   Don't rely on verbal promises.  State law requires a written
contract including the terms and conditions of the warranty.  The
manufacturer's warranty should be a separate, written document.
The contract must include:
          Contractor's name, address and home improvement      
          license number; approximate starting and finishing
          dates; work to be done and materials to be used;
           cost and terms of payment.
     7)   Don't sign any contract until you understand all the terms. 
     8)   Don't advance full payment for the work.  Under Maryland
law, the initial deposit can be no more than 33 percent of the
total contract amount.  You can also negotiate for a smaller down
payment.  Interim payments should bear a reasonable relationship
to the progress of the work.  Inspect the job carefully before
making the final payment.
     9)   Pay by credit card if possible.  If paying by check, make
sure the check is made out to the company, not to the individual
making the repairs.
                                  (more)

OCA Offers Tips for Hiring Contractors                           3-3-3-3

    10)  Check with the Montgomery County Environmental Protection
Department at 217-6370, to find out if the company must obtain a
building permit before doing the job.  If the job involves
plumbing, check with WSSC for their permit at 206-4003.
     If a problem develops with a company, first try to resolve it
with the company.  If you can't, then contact the Home
Improvement Commission at 410-333-6309 or OCA at 301-217-7373.

     
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