Spring time is right around the corner and many consumers will want to remodel or repair their home as part of “Spring Cleaning.” Some tasks may not be simple, so consumers may look to hire contractors to come in and do the work.

In the past 12 months, BBB has received thousands of inquiries on general contractors. In order to find a trustworthy contractor, BBB recommends to do the following:

• Do a Background Check. BBB recommends homeowners ask all contractors for local references and find out if those customers were satisfied with the contractor’s work. Ask for permits, city code compliances and, if possible, homeowners should visit and inspect completed projects.
• Compare Costs. Solicit at least three bids from prospective contractors based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project. It is important to discuss bids in detail with each contractor and make certain to understand the reasons for any variations in price. BBB offers a free Request a Quote service to obtain bids from BBB Accredited Businesses. Remember that cost differences may reflect factors such as quality of materials, craftsmanship and subcontracting for specialized labor.
• Check on Insurance. Ask contractors if the company is insured against claims covering worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents. BBB advises verifying the contractor’s insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.
• Start with Trust. Contractors that ask for payment up front, perform low-quality workmanship, refuse refunds and fail to address issues are common complaints BBB receives. Homeowners can avoid these companies by doing their homework online through BBB Member Pages to find BBB accredited contractors and remodeling businesses in the area.

To celebrate the 15th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is offering savvy consumers seven important tips. Sign up here to receive a BBB tip-a-day on the latest consumer topics.

NCPW is March 3-9, and government organizations and nonprofits across the country are offering consumers a wealth of tips and information from federal and state governments and non-profit partner organizations. BBB is, once again, encouraging every consumer to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed purchasing decisions.

NCPW.gov offers consumers a wide selection of free materials to learn how to protect their privacy, stay safe online, manage their money, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages and steer clear of frauds and scams.

For more consumer tips visit, bbb.org/news and like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest Facebook.com/BetterBusinessBureau. For information scams, visit BBB Scam Stopper at bbb.org/scam.

March 7 is the kickoff to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and Better Business Bureau is a proud supporter of this nationwide effort to educate the public on how to become savvier consumers. For anyone looking for advice on how to spend money wisely, your Better Business Bureau is here to help, not just during National Consumer Protection Week but all year long.

For NCPW, hundreds of national and local organizations work together to educate consumers on the importance of taking control of their personal finances.  The theme of this year’s NCPW is Dollars and Sense, Rated A for All Ages and highlights consumer education for every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.

“The economy is still in a slump and, now more than ever, consumers need to take control of their spending habits and be vigilant against fraud and scams,” said Alison Southwick, BBB spokesperson. “We encourage everyone to take time to get educated during National Consumer Protection Week and keep BBB in their back pocket as a tool for protecting their hard earned dollars in the coming year.”

Following are just a few ways that BBB can help consumers shop smarter and safer.  BBB is here to help if…

• You need every-day advice on how to manage your money and be a savvy consumer. BBB has created hundreds of tips columns and consumer alerts on personal finance topics such as how to build a family budget, hire a contractor or avoid the latest scams. Advice you can trust is available online at bbb.org.

• You need help finding a business you can trust. The BBB Accredited Business Locator can help you find businesses in your area that uphold BBB’s rigorous standards and have made a commitment to support the work of BBB. There are nearly 400,000 BBB accredited businesses (more…)