Spring is finally here and many homeowners will be embarking on home improvement projects. The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs offers these warning signs that a home improvement contractor may not be reputable:

• The contractor is hesitant to provide a written contract (or will not put verbal promises in writing).
• The contract does not have the name, address or telephone number of the contractor.
• The contractor is located out of county or out of state.
• The contractor shows up uninvited and offers to seal your driveway, repair your roof or cut down a tree.
• The consumer is asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay in cash.
• The contractor uses high pressure sales tactics, stating a special price is “only available today”.
• The contractor is hesitant to furnish references.
• The contractor has many judgments against him (judgments are filed with the County Clerk).
• The contractor has unresolved consumer complaints on file with Consumer Affairs.

Doing some homework prior to hiring a contractor can save lots of time and money. Ulster County Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.