FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2007
Contact:
Scott Elliott
(717) 730-4380, ext. 3010 (office), (717) 649-6522 (cell)
selliott@pabuilders.org
CONSUMERS SHOULD BE VIGILANT AGAINST SHADY CONTRACTORS
By Stephen Black, 2007 PBA president
LEMOYNE - Millions of families in Pennsylvania own their homes, including single-family houses, condominiums and town houses. Contractors compete for repair and home improvement business in a tight market of savvy consumers who try to squeeze the most from their budgets.
With their eyes on the budget, homeowners, who are also eager to get work completed, often rush to line up a contractor for the best price. They may hire someone without getting competing bids or estimates, respond to sales pressure, go with the cheapest option available or fail to check the contractor’s background.
These consumers often pay a price for not doing their homework. Unscrupulous individuals posing as contractors prey on hasty decisions. With so many homeowners investing each year to keep up their homes, it’s no surprise that a few say they are dissatisfied with the work. But builders want to avoid this possibility.
As an experienced builder myself, I know how as builders, we spend our lifetimes establishing a reputation for delivering quality products at fair prices. Without an honest reputation, none of us would be in business.
Professional home improvement contractors expect you to get bids and call references. They take pride in their work and hope you get a chance to speak to their satisfied customers.
People often identify the Pennsylvania Builders Association with builders of new homes, but more than half our members are primarily home improvement contractors.
Our members want to protect our state’s consumers, especially the elderly, from fraud, deception and con artistry that besmirches the home repair and remodeling industry. We have joined Attorney General Tom Corbett and state Sen. Robert Tomlinson to support a fair statewide contractor registration program through Senate Bill 100.
Even if contractors are registered when a bill like this becomes law, homeowners still need to select contractors carefully. Interviews and reference checks will help select a contractor who best matches the homeowners’ needs. The best defense against fraud will always be well-informed consumers.
Regardless of state registration requirements, consumers should be aware that bids from reputable, professional contractors may not be the lowest. Scam artists have no trouble quoting low bids. They carry no liability or workers’ compensation insurance, they don’t buy supplies and they never intend to complete the work.
While SB 100 would help track down contractor fraud, it does not completely address shoddy work, another consumer complaint. We must build new homes using the standards of the International Residential Code, which does not cover home improvements under Pennsylvania law.
We support adding home improvements and repairs to the state’s Uniform Construction Code. The code provides a standard for quality work. This would enhance the quality and safety of home improvements.
As builders, we take pride in our work as families take pride in their homes. We urge consumers to be responsible when hiring contractors to protect their investment, and we are here to help.
PBA invites the public to call (800) 692-7339 or visit our web site at www.PaBuilders.org to request our free “How to hire a reputable contractor” brochure. The web site also includes other information about home buying and home maintenance for consumers. Our association has speakers available to address this topic, please call for more information.
Stephen Black is the president of Stephen Black Builders, Lititz.
About PBA
Chartered in 1952, the Pennsylvania Builders Association is a nonprofit, professional trade organization representing 12,000-plus member-companies from across the state. PBA’s 528,000 individual members include builders, remodelers, material suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, lending institutions, utilities and others involved in the housing industry.
PBA serves its membership by providing proactive leadership on state regulatory and legislative issues and by offering products and services to its 39 local associations that enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of its members. PBA serves Pennsylvania communities and consumers through its steadfast efforts to protect homeownership rights and advocate for affordable housing options. PBA is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders.
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