FBI agents say convicted con man Craig Oliver put himself into the construction business with help from his wife and a stolen builder’s license, before he went on to defraud sixty-eight homeowners of 2.5 million dollars. Some home remodeling and construction projects are best left in the hands of professionals, but how do you know if you’re dealing with a trustworthy contractor?
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) suggests you avoid remodelers when:
- You can’t verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler.
- The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract.
- The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes so you will be given a “special, low rate.”
- The builder/remodeler tells you a special price is available only if you sign the contract “today.”
- No references are furnished.
- Information you receive from the contractor is out-of-date or no longer valid.
- You are unable to verify the license or insurance information.
- You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay in cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself.
- The company cannot be found in the telephone book, is not listed with the local Better Business Bureau, or with a local trade association, such as NARI.
- The contractor does not offer, inform or extend notice of your right to cancel the contract within three days. Notification in writing of your Right of Recision is required by law. This grace period allows you to change your mind and declare the contract null and void without penalty (if the agreement was solicited at some place other than the contractor’s place of business or appropriate trade premises-in your home, for instance).
Not only did Craig Oliver leave dozens of dissatisfied homeowners in his wake, he also stiffed many of his suppliers and subcontractors.
“Referrals from other people they’ve done work for are always a good thing, but then check with local builder’s associations… check with the county to see if there are any outstanding complaints against the contractor,” said NARI member and contractor Tim Burch.
For more information visit the NARI web site, and make sure to check out their list of questions to ask potential remodelers.
2 Comments on "Outsmart Scammers: How To Avoid Contractor Con Artists"
Charles Crugnola
I wanted to thank you for your recent show depicting “con artist contractors”. I too fell victim to a contractor who walked off the job site, with a large portion of my money, after I contacted an attorney concerning his work ethics. As a retired police officer I checked his references and the better business bureau before my wife and I hired him. Unfortunately, we still fell victim to his tactics. Since then we have learned of at least two other home owners whom also fell victim.
It is my firm belief that more stringent laws need to be in place for these individuals. The home owners are being left with incomplete construction projects and little or no money to hire someone else (if you can find another contractor who will agree to complete the project).
While I was under the impression laws were in place for my protection, I learned differently. My complaint filed with the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office of Community Affairs was only referred to the Prosecutors Office which replied they would not take action because of the pending civial action against the contractor. The town building department claimed they have no enforcement jurisdiction and cannot prevent the contractor from working in the town. This resulted in at laest one additional home owner falling victim. It is now over two years with no settlement.
Greenwich Homeowner
My family also fell victim to a con man contractor who talked with a forked tongue and used the most manipulative, dirty tactics to swindle money out of trusting homeowners.
The horrible destruction he left at our home caused our home to become unlivable and it made us vulnerable to other predator contractors who saw that we needed someone to help us.
The State of Connecticut does nothing to stop these horrible criminals. They steal money from innocent, trusting people and then destroy real estate– which is equivalent to vandalism– but no one seems to care.
This has a negative impact on the economy: if a homeowner is left with having to pay for the repairs to damaged property due to unskilled labor who caused the damages but used fear tactics to get paid, then the homeowner has very little money left to spend with local [legitimate] businesses.
This con man construction industry has got to be managed.
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