Home Repair Fraud
Home repair criminals often appear in neighborhoods after a storm
or fire makes immediate repairs necessary. They try to get money
in advance for repairs they never make or that are poorly done and
won't pass a building code inspection.
Working with your homeowners insurance claims department will help
ensure that you receive quality work on repairs to your home after
a loss.
If however, your home requires remodeling or other improvement,
be selective when deciding on a contractor to use. Hire only licensed
contractors and get a detailed list of the project costs and payment
schedule in writing in advance.
Be sure to check with your local or state government officials
on housing code standards or building concerns before work begins.
Internet Field Trip
To help you learn how to make home repairs, many states and local
governments offer information and good advice on their Web sites.
Follow the steps below to see two good examples.
Directions
Building Code Web site
- Click the Build
Codes link. This will open to the Sacramento,
California Web site on planning and building.
- Click the Title 15 link and search the
codes that interest you.
Note: Rehabilitation of Buildings is listed
- Click the Close box to return to the course.
Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Web
site
- Click the CSLB
link. A window will open on the California Contractors
State License Board Web site.
- Scroll through the list of guides and fact sheets.
- Explore the sections that interest you. Note that
you can check a contractor's license status on this
site.
- Click the Close box to return to the course.
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Check Your Learning:
Pause here to answer questions and reinforce your learning. Follow
the steps below.
Directions
- Click each question link below to answer the questions.
- Click the Close Window link to return to the course.
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Now you know the warning signs and how to avoid predatory lenders
and fraud schemes.
Next you will learn how to avoid foreclosure by finding the best
solutions to problems.
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