Industry Updates

There are thousands of legitimate, ethical contractors in business around the country. Unfortunately, there are also scam artists looking to cheat you out of your money who pose as legitimate contractors. These “fly-by-night” operators often show up in communities impacted by natural disasters to try to scam distressed home owners into paying for shoddy repairs or work that they will never show up to perform. Here are some warning signs to look out for: Doesn’t have license and insurance. All professional contractors should be insured and able to show their certificate proving such insurance. Although all states do not require…

Destructive fires have recently wreaked havoc on communities throughout the county and families are left picking up the pieces of their homes-and lives. Because of the widespread destruction, there’s often far more demand for repair work than local remodelers can handle for the foreseeable future. Here are some ways home builders can step in and help: 1. Contact your current and former clients. The families you’ve built homes for in the past may have suffered damage in the fires. You already have a relationship with them, which makes it easy to reach out and see if they need help. Even…

As the Medical Lake and Elk communities begins the recovery after the devastating effects of the Gray and Oregon Road fires, local home builders are warning residents to be aware of scammers that may pose as legitimate contractors. The Spokane Home Builders Association encourages all residents to research contractors to avoid paying for substandard home repairs. The following is a list of things to remember when hiring a professional contractor. Always do your homework and proceed with care. Ask for proof of a current license from L&I Ask for proof of general liability and workman’s compensation insurance. A reputable contractor…