CONSUMER ALERT:

Marylanders Warned to Watch for Home Improvement Scams

"This time of year can be open season for unscrupulous, unlicensed home improvement contractors," cautioned James D. Fielder, Jr., Ph.D., secretary of the state's Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation. He warned that if the price such a contractor offers seems like a great deal, take that as a warning sign. "You could end up with shoddy or incomplete work, or someone who takes your money and never returns," said Fielder.

Maryland is one of a few states where homeowners using licensed contractors may be eligible for coverage by a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. The Fund provides qualified homeowners with up to $15,000 for losses resulting from poor or incomplete work by MHIC currently licensed contractors. There is no such protection available if the homeowner works with an unlicensed contractor.

The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) provides a list of licensed Maryland contractors, accessible through DLLR's website.

MHIC has established the following guidelines to help homeowners:

• Only hire contractors with a current MHIC license and number
• Check the contractor's complaint record with MHIC
• Compare proposals by obtaining estimates from several licensed contractors
• Ask for references from previous customers and check them
• Always get a written contract but pay no money before the contract is signed
• At the time the contract is signed, pay no more than a third as a down payment
• If a building permit is required, make sure you see it before work begins
• Obtain a copy of the contractor's current liability insurance certificate.