There is a lot of fraud in roof repair and installation. There are roofing contractors who roam the country, following storms and picking up jobs along the way from the damage caused by them. While many of them are reputable, some of them are not.

Following are three basic questions to ask any roofing company you’re thinking about using that can help you avoid getting scammed.

1. What is the full name and address of your roofing company? While this question seems so basic, remember what we stated above about roaming roofing contractors. You want a company that is local. If they give you an address, check it out to see if it’s viable (eg, not just a P.O. Box).

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That’s it! You’ve had it. Fido has escaped from the yard one too many times. You’re tired of your neighbors complaining, not to mention scared to death that one day he may be hit by a passing car. So, you’ve decided it’s time to get a fence.

Following are four questions to ask a fence contractor before signing on the dotted line.

1. How Long Have You Been In Business? Many companies that do home improvement projects are fly-by-night operations. You want a company that has a solid track record in your community. That way, if there’s a problem after the project is done, you’ll be able to get in touch.

Note: While length of time in business is important, what’s equally as important are local, verifiable references. Ask for them – and check them.

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You’ve finally decided to get hardwood floors in your home. You hit the internet to start looking for a hardwood flooring contractor in your area, and are overwhelmed by the number of choices. Following are some questions to ask to help you select the best one for your project.

Bonded and Insured: Professional, reputable companies are. If you find one that’s not, move on to the next one. If a hardwood flooring contractor you run across has significantly lower prices than others, chances are they may not be bonded and insured.

You, the buyer, are the one taking a grave risk because if something goes wrong, you have practically no recourse. Remember, skill and professionalism come with a well-deserved cost.

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When it comes to home improvement-type work, there are many contractors who try to be one-stop shops. And for general contractors, this is fine. But when it comes to mold removal, you want a specialist, not a generalist.

Following are some questions to ask any mold removal specialist you’re thinking about using.

Credentials: Mold removal specialists, like many other professionals, undergo rigorous training in order to be qualified to do their job. And, the industry is highly regulated. Hence, you want to ask any mold removal company you’re thinking about using about their credentials, eg, what exactly are they certified in and where they received their certification.

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