Healthy Life

     Summer is approaching and there is work to be done on homes.

     But the sad truth is that when someone gets scammed by a contractor, the money lost is almost always gone for good. A little prevention now saves a lot of headaches later.

• TIPS:
•      ● Never let a contractor show up unannounced. You decide what needs to be done and get at least three
• estimates.
•      ● If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
•      ● Set up a payment schedule with the contractor as the work is completed.
•      ● Require proof that the contractor has insurance. If not and he is hurt on your property, you could be
• held liable.
•      ● Get everything in writing, and do not be pressured. A price that is good today should still be good
• after you have had a few days to think about it.

     New York State law requires that if your job costs $500 or more, the contractor must provide a written, legible contract in plain English that includes the contractor's name, address, and phone number, approximate start and end dates for the job, a description of the work to be completed and materials to be purchased.

•      Remember, you have three business days to cancel in writing.
• Information provided by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Oswego.