BBB Raising Awareness About Asphalt Contractor Scam

FORSYTH COUNTY -- The Better Business Bureau is raising awareness about a scam that affects home and business owners nationwide.

The most recent involves contract asphalt workers.

The BBB receives hundreds of contractor complaints a month from customers who weren't satisfied with a job.

"They have a period of time to respond also in writing reporting their claim, and we take that information back to the client or the consumer, the complainant and see if that satisfies the complaint or if there are additional steps taken. If that's the case, we repeat the process until it's resolved," said Brian Wright, Better Business Bureau, Northwest N.C.

The most recent complaint is about asphalt contractors going door to door telling people they have extra asphalt and they're willing to do work at a discounted rate. Other area contractors say this puts a bad name on the industry but they see it all too often.

"These furnaces were an overstock and the contractor got them for a ridiculous low price, and therefore, he's going to pass those prices onto you. In reality, there is no thing as a free lunch and you're basically paying the premium for the air conditioning system to get the free furnace," said Richard Harrington, Gwyn Electrical Plumbing Heating and Cooling.

To avoid getting scammed, Harrington advises people to ask any question they have and when they pick a contractor to get the job all in writing.

"Asking questions about the price and the scope of the work is key -- what are you going to do, when are you going to do it, how much it's going to cost, all that needs to be put in writing just to avoid surprises and confusion later," said Harrington.

And the BBB adds, never pay full price up front.

"One of the rules of thumb we like to say is, if you're going to have work done make sure the payment is done after the completed job to your satisfaction. There might be a deposit up front which is understandable, but don't necessarily pay up front because it all of a sudden puts the power on the other side," said Wright.

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BBB Raising Awareness About Asphalt Contractor Scam