Warm weather means home improvement scams in Central New York, but there are effective ways to avoid becoming a victim, say those familiar with the situation.

Seniors are often the targets of fly-by-night contractors offering to perform cut-rate roofing work, painting, driveway sealing or remodeling jobs. Unscrupulous operators do substandard work or simply move on once they pocket a victim’s money. It’s a scenario repeated every year across the country once spring and summer arrive.

“It’s the prime time because people are trying to get work done on their house,” said Sgt. Tom Connellan, of the Syracuse Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Be wary if someone knocks on your door and offers to do home improvements, Connellan advises. “A lot of them are traveling scam artists who will give you a hard sell,” he said. “They will give you a low price and a lot of these guys will insist you pay in advance. If somebody’s going door-to-door you should be very skeptical.”

Seniors are more likely to live in older homes that need repairs and are less likely to do the work themselves, said Bill Ferris, AARP’s New York state legislative representative. “A lot of older persons are rehabilitating their homes because they want to remain in their homes as long as possible,” Ferris said. “Fly-by-night operators come by and say, ‘I’ve got extra material and I can do your roof’ or ‘I can do your driveway.’ Never trust anyone who comes by and says they have extra material and they can do the job cheaply.”

A homeowner looking to hire a contractor “needs to know they are reliable and that they have an established business in the area,” said Peggy Penders, a spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau. “They certainly should look for a reliable contactor,” Penders said. “They should ask for references and they really do need to do their homework as well.”

The BBB can be of assistance in finding a reputable contractor. The organization offers a free online service called “Request-A-Bid” that allows homeowners to write a brief description of the work they need done and can then review bids from BBB-affiliated contractors. More information is available on the organization’s Web site: bbb.org

“The other thing the Better Business Bureau advises is not to pay by cash and to make sure the home improvement they are embarking on is done by stages of payment. If the contractor asks for money up front that’s an immediate red flag,” Penders said.

The homeowner rate among Americans over age 65 is about 80 percent, Ferris said. And more than 26 million homeowners make improvements every year. He recommended getting at least three estimates from contractors, along with references. “One thing people don’t do is ask where they buy their materials and go there and ask [suppliers]. They can be used for a reference,” he said. “Ask their bank.”

Connellan, Pender and Ferris strongly advise not agreeing to any work unless there is a signed contract that specifies what will be done and when it will be completed. Connellan added that it’s also not a good idea to let someone soliciting work past the front door. “People should be very wary of letting strangers in the home,” he said. “We’re asking seniors if they get approached by someone like this to have someone else like a neighbor sit down with the guy.”

Many older homeowners have lived in the same location for years and know others in the community.
“Go with contractors you are familiar with. Ask your neighbors, family and friends who they have used,” Ferris said.

Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau about how to find the right contractor for the job:

• Compare costs before making a financial commitment toward any home improvement project. Solicit at least two or three bids from prospective contractors based on the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project.

• Never let a contractor use pressure tactics to force a snap decision. A reputable professional recognizes individuals need time to consider all the factors involved before hiring a contractor.

• Consumers should hire a contractor with an established business in their area. Ask for references and do some homework. Look at the BBB Reliability Report available on the BBB Web site at bbb.org

• Research a contractor’s standard of work and his professional affiliations. Verify his insurance and check to see if he needs to be licensed.

• Don’t allow work to start without a signed written contract that includes all verbal promises made by the contractor. Make sure the contractor includes a start and completion date, a breakdown of the cost and information about the contractor, including license number, street address and telephone number.

• Refuse and become suspicious if asked to pay for the entire job up-front. Arrange for payment to be made as parts of the job are completed. Final payment should not be due until the job is done to the customer’s satisfaction. Homeowners should pay by check or credit card, never by cash.