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LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing important reminders as many Michiganders prepare for home improvement projects and the summer months create opportunities for scammers. Among the common issues raised about home remodeling work and window replacement in complaints to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team are:
- High-pressure sales;
- Confusion over contract terms;
- Poor workmanship;
- Failure to honor warranties;
- Incomplete job performance;
- Overcharging; and
- Threats of lien by the contractor.
While many consumers are naturally suspicious of offers made by door-to-door sellers, it remains important to your financial health and peace of mind to exercise caution when choosing any building contractor or company for home improvement services.
“If someone approaches you with a home improvement deal that seems too good to pass up, or pressures you to act right away, you should be skeptical,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Before jumping into a major project, do your homework, get multiple quotes, and never hesitate to say no to an offer that isn’t best for you.”
To avoid making costly mistakes, Attorney General Nessel advises homeowners to do their homework before they open their wallets by:
- Resisting high-pressure sales tactics and rejecting “now or never” offers.
- Always asking if the contractor is licensed and insured – and demanding to see proof.
- Checking to see if the contractor has been disciplined or if the license has been suspended or revoked with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
- Seeking two or three written estimates for the work and carefully comparing the services and materials with the price.
- Checking consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team.
- Getting references and reaching out to discuss the quality of work with those references.
- Getting a written contract and reading all the small print on any form or contract that is supplied by the contractor.
- Getting required building permits.
- Arranging for payments to be made as parts of the job are completed.
The LARA website can help residents understand what kinds of home improvement projects require a contractor to be licensed and which do not. In the event of a dispute over work requiring a license, file a written complaint with LARA. Complaint filing instructions and the complaint form are available online. If the contractor you hired is not required to be licensed, file a written complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
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