CONSUMER ADVISORY

1. Is the contractor merely using their website as a front? Meaning does the contractor actually have a physical business location or are they solely operating from their website?
2. Is the contractor doing business legally in your state? If the contractor is a corporation formed in your state, are they in "good standing" with your state corporation bureau? If the contractor is an out-of-state ("foreign") corporation, has it registered to do business in your state? Additionally, is it in "good standing"?
3. Is the contractor from your home state or state close-by, or is their business located in a distant state and operating as a satellite business in your area without a physical location?
4. Does this contractor place a street address on their website? An office phone number and not just a mobile phone number? A fax number?
5. Does the contractor push aggressive cash discounts?
6. Does the contractor offer too-good-to-be-true low pricing, much lower than prices quoted by other contractors?
7. Is the contractor properly insured with at least acceptable contractor's liability and workers compensation coverages? Will they provide a Certificate of Insurance on request?
8. Does the contractor have business cards and printed contracts?
9. Does the contractor accept major credit cards?
10. Is the contractor listed in the Yellow Pages or is their phone number available from Directory Assistance?
11. Does the contractor's vehicle or trucks bear the name of the company, or are they not marked with the company name?