Every summer homeowners unknowingly hire unlicensed contractors that
often provide poor or incomplete work. These contractors repeatedly go
door-to-door and make unusual price offers to unsuspecting homeowners
for work such as driveway seal coating, landscaping, roofing, chimney
repair, pool repair, and other types of work. The elderly are often
targeted by these types of contractors. Below are some suggested ways
homeowners can protect themselves against home improvement fraud:
- Ask the contractor to present their Village issued solicitors permit, which is required by Village ordinance.
- If the price is too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Only accept bids from and hire contractors that you have contacted.
- Rely on free internet based resources such as, "The Better
Business Bureau" or "Angie's List" to aid in doing work with a
contractor.
For more information click the following:
www.ilga.gov
Before performing home improvement projects, be sure to obtain a
building permit from the Village. Contractors performing certain types
of home improvement work are required to have proper State licensing
which is verified through the Building Department's permitting process.