Hotline Legal Tips:

Home Repair Horrors

By: Ellie Crosby

I have to have home repairs done and heard many horror stories. How can I avoid problems?

Home repair disputes can be difficult to resolve. It is far better to do some work on the front end to avoid problems down the road. The following are some tips you can use if you are concerned about making these decisions:

1. Be sure your contractor is reputable - know who you are hiring. Do not hire people who ring your doorbell and tell you your roof needs repair or your gutters need fixing; Get the names of at least 3 references and call them. Find out how long the job took and the quality of the work.
2. Don't use contractors who offer to do the job using material left over from another job.
3. Don't use a contractor who tries to pressure you into making a decision.
4. Find out what kind of insurance they have. Hire people who have a current certificate of insurance.
5. Never pay a large sum up front. Instead, negotiate a time table and payment schedule where you will pay the contractor as work is completed.
6. Get it in writing - insist on a contract that specifies the work to be done, the time it will be completed, the materials to be used, the names of any subcontractors and the schedule of payments.
7. Get the subcontractors to waive their right to put a lien on your home if the contractor doesn't pay them.

If you have questions or concerns, call the toll-free Georgia Senior Legal Hotline and talk with an attorney at (888) 257-9519. Our program offers no cost legal advice to Georgia's Seniors.

 

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Ellie Crosby is a Managing Attorney for the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline. Contact information:

Ellie Crosby - Managing Attorney
Georgia Senior Legal Hotline
2 Peachtree St. 36th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
phone: (404) 657-0217
fax: (404) 657-5285
elliecrosby@usa.net

 

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Disclaimer

This site contains general information about Georgia law and is not intended as legal advice to address any specific situation. It is being provided as a public service by the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline. If you have questions about this information, you should discuss your questions with a lawyer. In Georgia, if you are over 60 you may call the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline (888) 257-9519 to speak with an attorney at no charge about your question or problem. Be aware that laws differ from state to state and that laws and regulations can change through court decisions, the administrative process and through the legislative process. This information is current as of February 2000.