| Useful Links and Resources | ||||
| {Some of these links (#) are utilized within the context of the 'Hazards of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors’ website} | ||||
| AARP Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| AARP Bulletin Fix-It Follies | Home improvement fraud is the most common scam in the country, according to the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and the Consumer Federation of America. "Never pay any upfront money to a contractor who says he needs to buy materials before starting the job," says Tom Silva, a contractor on the PBS TV show This Old House. Silva also suggests: "Consider a 'penalty clause' in the contract that deducts a percentage from the cost if the repair isn’t completed by the designated date." | |||
| Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor | Before selecting anyone to do work in your home, carefully evaluate what you want done. Taking your time at the start of a project increases the odds that you will be satisfied with the contractor’s work. You also will want to find out as much as you can about differences in the types, qualities of the materials you want used. The more you know in advance about the materials involved in your project and their prices, the better prepared you are to choose a contractor. To create a list of contractors, talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about their experiences with contractors. Were they satisfied with the work, the price, and the time it took to get the job done? | |||
| # | Home Improvement Contractors A Model State Statute | Home improvement is important for preserving both the safety and value of a homeowner's property. Improvements can increase a home's value and allow owners to adapt their home to meet their changing needs and age. Home improvement is also big business. In 1997, Americans spent more than $115 billion on contracted home improvement projects and do-it-yourself home repairs. Tens of thousands of homeowners annually receive inadequate, unprofessional, or fraudulent home repair work. Older homeowners are less likely than other homeowners to take action against fraudulent home improvement contractors. | ||
| # | Home Improvement Contractors Fact Sheet | Statutes that address abuses committed against consumers by dishonest home improvement contractors are crucial in protecting all consumers-and older homeowners in particular. It addresses three areas that are especially important to protecting consumers: regulating contractor conduct; creating resources for consumer recovery; and providing civil remedies and criminal penalties for violations of the law. This 78-page model statute written by Elizabeth Renuart and Rich DuBois of the National Consumer Law Center, was developed for regulating home improvement contractors. | ||
| Attorney General for NYS Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| # | Consumer Complaints Trigger Home Contractor Investigation | Attorney General Eliot Spitzer warns consumers to exercise caution, and says that his office will diligently investigate and prosecute those contractors who betray the trust placed in them by trusting homeowners. | ||
| # | Court Order Shuts Down Unscrupulous Roofing Company | "Unscrupulous business practices of home improvement contractors can ruin homes and destroy personal finances," Spitzer said. "My office will continue to act aggressively to protect against home repair contractors who defraud consumers and besmirch the reputation of their industry." In one case, a contractor gave an 84-year old woman an estimate of $525 to repair her roof. After completing the repairs, Ward presented this woman with an amended contract of $13,800 | ||
| # | Home Contractor Gets State Prison for Defrauding Elderly Customers | ... pleaded guilty to separate counts of Grand Larceny in the second degree, a class "C" felony, and scheme to defraud in the first degree, a class "E" felony. "The prosecution of crimes against the elderly is a major objective of my office. We are determined to aggressively pursue those who prey upon the elderly, and we will devote the time and resources necessary to bring such criminals to justice," said Spitzer. They established emotional ties with their victims, portraying themselves as caring friends of their victims. In fact, the victims were manipulated by a pattern of lies, false promises, and misrepresentations. The crimes resulted in the loss of life-savings and retirement accounts for the victims totaling $1.1 million. One victim lost $528,000 including her home and virtually all of her assets. | ||
| Home Contractor Pleads Guilty and Agrees To Refunds | This sends a clear message to home improvement contractors that this office will take aggressive action against acts that defraud consumers," Spitzer said. Spitzer’s office is seeking a court order permanently barring various home improvement companies from operating in New York state. The lawsuit also is seeking civil penalties and court costs. There is a "window of opportunity" for additional consumers to fill out complaint forms with the Attorney General’s office to become eligible for restitution. Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, punishable by up to four years incarceration. The civil complaint charges the [defendant] with violations of the state Home Improvement Contracts Act, which requires that certain information be included in contracts, such as the name and address of the contractor, estimated dates when the work would begin and be substantially completed, certain notices about lien law implications, and a requirement that all money paid toward a project be placed in escrow. | |||
| # | Home Improvement Contractors Target of State Enforcement Actions | "Defective and incomplete home improvements and repairs are high on the list of consumer complaints and frustrations," Spitzer said. "My office will attack the problem with all the tools we have - criminal prosecutions, where appropriate, civil lawsuits and aggressive mediation and education efforts." | ||
| # | Jefferson County Home Contractor to Pay Refunds | "A statewide sweep conducted by my office earlier this year confirmed the need for consumers to be very cautious when choosing a home contractor," Spitzer said. "The success of this lawsuit demonstrates the need for aggressive oversight of the home improvement industry to protect consumers’ rights and investments and to preserve the reputation of the industry against unscrupulous firms." | ||
| # | NYSOAG Consumer Tips Home Improvement Fact Sheet | State law regulates the sale of
home improvement goods and services and applies to most improvements of more
than $500. Some important provisions
of the law are: Home improvement contracts must be in writing and must contain: the contractor's name, address and telephone number; the approximate start and completion dates, including any contingencies which would change the completion date; a specific description of the work and materials, including brands, model numbers and other identifying information, along with the price; a consumer notice regarding: a three day right to cancel a contract; explanation of Lien Law implications if subcontractors are not paid; and the legal requirement that deposits be placed in escrow. Any schedule of payments agreed to in the contract must bear a "reasonable relationship" to the work done, materials purchased or other project-related costs; Any contract payments received by a contractor from a customer prior to substantial completion of the job must be put into a trust (escrow) account in a bank or as an alternative, the contractor may deliver a "bond" or "contract of indemnity" guaranteeing the customer's money will be properly used. |
||
| # | Spitzer Stops Home Improvement Scams | ... engaged in
misrepresentation, fraud, and false advertising, refused to honor warranties
and to give refunds; and demanded payment for unauthorized work. Initial or additional work was never
performed, or if performed, was never completed or was badly defective. "Such cases make it more difficult
for legitimate contractors to develop a confident and effective relationship
with their customers." Spitzer
obtained another $10,000 under a new State law which provides for increased
penalties for deceptive and fraudulent acts perpetrated against the elderly
with willful disregard of their rights.
This settlement also requires the [the defendants] to post a $50,000
performance bond. |
||
| # | Unscrupulous Home Repair Firms Face State Enforcement Actions | In a series of enforcement actions announced in the summer of 2004, Spitzer's office took aggressive action against home improvement contractors who made false promises to consumers and engaged in fraudulent activity. Spitzer’s office is requesting an order forcing the operators of these companies to: provide the Attorney General’s office with a full accounting of their home repair contracts and lists of customers; to pay civil penalties for their violations of law; and to pay court costs. The consent orders also require each of the operators to post performance bonds in order to continue operating in New York State. "Home improvement fraud leaves consumers with empty wallets and ruined dreams," said Spitzer. | ||
| # | W.N.Y. Roofing Contractor Indicted on Larcency, Fraud Charges | In one of the largest home
improvement fraud cases in Western New York, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
today announced that a grand jury has returned a felony indictment against a
Buffalo contractor for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from consumers. The 33-count indictment charges [the
defendant] with: one count of Scheme
to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony; 26 counts of Grand Larceny
in the Third Degree, a class D felony; and six counts of Grand Larceny in the
Fourth Degree, a class E felony. If
convicted on all counts, the defendant faces up to 20 years
imprisonment. "This case sends a
message to home improvement contractors that fraudulent acts may result in
severe consequences," Spitzer said. |
||
| Better Business Bureau Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| # | BBB Alerts & News | Never
sign a partial or blank contract. Read every contract clause carefully and
ask any questions you may have before signing. Retain a copy of the contract once it is signed, and file it in
your records. You should make every attempt to pay a minimal or no downpayment for supplies or services; especially if you have not done business with a contractor in the past. You should not make any payments for incomplete work. Schedule payments at weekly or monthly intervals or after completion of each phase of the project. All of these terms should be spelled out in the contract and clearly understood by both you and the contractor. |
||
| # | BBB Home Improvements-Repairs | Planning
Your Project: 1) Carefully plan the project from start to finish. 2) Be specific in explaining to the contractor exactly what you want done. Get all promises in writing. 3) Be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved in the remodeling job before the contractor begins the work. 4) To finance your project, consider a personal bank loan, home equity loan, or a loan from your credit union (compare various interest rates, amounts, terms, and taxes). |
||
| Homesource.thebbb.org | Working With the
Contractor/Monitoring the Job You or someone you trust should supervise every home improvement job, to make sure that the correct materials are used, and that the work is completed correctly. "Feel free to ask questions and examine the work." Never pay the entire, or even a major portion of, the cost of the home improvement job before any work has begun. The home improvement contractor may require the consumer to make a down payment and pay for materials; this is a common practice. |
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| # | NY BBB - Home Improvement | Home Warranties Sellers are finding that purchasing a home warranty is a good way to attract buyers, and buyers are finding that a warranty can save them a significant amount of money during the first few years in their new home. But sometimes home warranties can cause confusion when it comes to what is and isn't covered. |
||
| BBB Search Result = Eagle Construction Company | New York State Laws: According to the New York State Attorney General's website, NYS law regulates the sale of home improvement goods and services and is applicable to most types of home improvement costing more than $500. The law states that home improvement contracts must be in writing, in plain English, and customers must receive a copy of the contract before work begins. |
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| Federal Trade Commission Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| After a Disaster Repairing Your Home | ||||
| # | Federal Trade Commission | The Commission also has been directed to administer a wide variety of other consumer protection laws, gave the FTC the authority to adopt trade regulation rules that define unfair or deceptive acts in particular industries. | ||
| For the families and businesses affected by Hurricanes | ||||
| # | FTC Consumer Complaint Form | |||
| FTC.gov - Test Your Skills at Avoiding a Home Repair Nightmare | Test Your Skills at Avoiding a Home Repair Nightmare - questionnaire provided by FTC | |||
| FTC.gov - Test Your Skills at Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor | Test Your Skills at Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor - questionnaire provided by FTC | |||
| FTC.gov - Warranties | Good information about
warranties. • What will the company do if the product fails? • What parts and repair problems are covered? • Does the warranty cover "consequential damages?" • Are there any conditions or limitations on the warranty? Also good information on Spoken warranties and Implied warranties. |
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| # | FTC's Information about Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims | |||
| Home Improvement Tools You Can Use | ||||
| # | Home Sweet Home Improvement | |||
| # | KB Home to Pay $2 Million Penalty for Alleged Violations of FTC Order | The modified consent decree also bars KB Home from violating the terms of the original order in the future, and requires the company to modify existing home repair warranties to comply with the consent order and extend for one year certain homeowners’ two-year warranty coverage for major home components. The FTC also has issued a new publication for consumers to help them understand the issue of home warranties. | ||
| NACAA-CFA Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators - Home Page | ||||
| # | NACAA Complaint Report.pdf | According to the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and the Consumer Federation of America, Home Improvement fraud is the most common scam in the country, as reported by state and local consumer protection agencies during 2003-2004. Additionally, home improvement has consistently been within the top three areas of reported consumer complaints for the past five years. | ||
| # | NACAA Report.pdf | Home improvement was also the fastest growing type of consumer complaint reported by NACAA agencies in 2001. For the previous two years, home improvement contractors were named as the type of business most likely to go out of business and most likely to reopen under another business name. | ||
| News Articles | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| # | A Homeowner Nails Bob Perry in Arbitration | a private arbitration company—one often handpicked by the builder or its warranty company a kangaroo court that deprives consumers of legal protections that the Anglo-American court system took centuries to refine. At the stroke of a pen, consumers who sign binding arbitration contracts sacrifice their rights to a trial by jury and to appeal adverse rulings. Gone, too, are legal discovery, public court records, the development of case law and rulings based on legal precedents. | ||
| COBS Homes - Lien Releases | The Lien Law | |||
| # | Florida Construction Defect Statute Allows Pre-Arbitration Discovery | |||
| # | Kessler International - Nuts and Bolts of Hiring a Contractor | |||
| # | Realty Times Keeping Ahead of Home Improvement Contractors | |||
| # | Right To Cure Laws - Valuable Right Or Procedural Hurdle | |||
| # | RNews - Contracting Award Misleads Customer | |||
| # | RNews - Home Builders Demand Reform | |||
| # | Small Claims Court and Judgment Collection | "In 2003 the City of Rochester small claims court awarded 1,550 judgments. But as of now, only 350, or about 22 percent have been fully or partially satisfied." | ||
| What Your Contractor Won't Tell You | ||||
| # | WROC - No Licensing Required | |||
| NRCA Websites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| National Roofing Contractors Assoc - Guide to Buying a New Roof | The National Roofing Contractors
Association (NRCA) is pleased to provide you with this information as part of
our ongoing effort to educate home and building owners about roofing and
roofing contractors. We hope this information will make you a more knowledgeable consumer and, when the time comes, a smart roof system buyer. A new roof system is a big investment. We want to help you get a quality roof system at a fair price from a professional roofing contractor. |
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| NRCA-Guide for Selecting Residential (Steep-Slope)Contractor | Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form (provided by National Roofing Contractors Association) | |||
| NRCA-Roofing Contractor Qualification Form.pdf | ||||
| Other Useful Sites | ||||
| Title | Points of Interest | |||
| # | A Guide to Small Claims in the NYS City, Town and Village Courts | This link provides an electronic version of "A Guide to Small Claims in the NYS City, Town and Village Courts ". A booklet by Judith S. Kaye and Jonathon Lippman, 2005. You can obtain this booklet for no cost from the court clerk at your local small claims court. I suggest that you also get a copy of "Small Claims Guide for Town & Village Courts" by Herbert A. Kline, Esq. I was able to obtain my copy from my county clerk's office. Lastly, if you ever end up in appellate court, get a copy of "Rules of the Appellate Division" or the like from your local appellate court. | ||
| Actress Takes Stand in Mansion Lawsuit | ||||
| Allbay.com-Residential Home Maintenance Guide.pdf | Residential Home Maintenance Guide from All Bay Home Inspection Inc. | |||
| An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform | Washington, DC-On January 1, 2004, a reform law that will open up the legal system for the people of New York took effect. Senate Bill 1570, which Governor George E. Pataki signed in September, will increase the jurisdictional limit in many of the state's small claims courts from $3,000 to $5,000. | |||
| # | Are fines disproportionate to the bad behavior and profitability? | |||
| # | Association of the Bar of the City of New York - Contractor Licensing | This site provides vital information which every contractor, subcontractor and consumer should be aware of - the requirement that the contractor and subcontractor be licensed by the department of consumer affairs or other licensing authority covering the geographical area in which the contractor or subcontractor works. | ||
| Association of the Bar of the City of New York - How to Complain About Lawyers & Judges in NYC | Some information about How to Complain About Lawyers & Judges in NYC from The Association of the Bar of the City of New York. | |||
| Banking.State.NY.US-Consumers Beware.pdf | ||||
| Before You Sign a Contract - Home Improvements | ||||
| # | Big Money and Shoddy Construction: Texas Home Buyers Left Out in the Cold | |||
| Bill Text For SB1749 | ||||
| # | Building Homes, Building Problems - Builder List | |||
| California Guides and Pamphlets | Titles
Include: A Homeowner's Guide to Preventing Mechanic's Liens A Consumer Guide to Filing a Small Claims Court Construction Claim What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor Home Improvement Contracts/Putting the Pieces Together Ten Tips for Making Sure Your Contractor Measures Up Choosing the Right Landscaper Before You Dive Into Swimming Pool Construction... Tips for Hiring a Roofing Contractor |
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| # | California's Contractors State License Board - Before Hiring a Contractor | |||
| California's Contractors State License Board - Civil Judgments | ||||
| # | Call For Action, Inc. (CFA) | Our mission is to empower consumers by giving them a voice larger than their own! | ||
| # | Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller, News Conference 1/23/06 | |||
| # | Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller's Report | |||
| # | Center for Disease Control - Mold in Construction.pdf | |||
| Consumer Action Website (Free 2006 Consumer Action Handbook) | You can order or view The Consumer Action Handbook from this page | |||
| Consumer Action.gov - Home Improvements and Repair | ||||
| Consumer Law 2000 Update | ||||
| Consumer Law Help Manual - Consumer Protection Agencies | A Listing of Consumer Protection Agencies | |||
| Consumer.state.ny.us./Home Improvements Without Headaches | Provides a Sample Contract for
NYS |
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| Consumer.state.ny.us/Home Improvements.htm | ||||
| # | Consumeraction.gov/Resolve Problems - Don't Give Up | Resolve Problems - Don’t give
up Don’t give upif you are not satisfied with the seller’s response to your complaint. Once you have given the seller a reasonable amount of time to respond, consider filing a complaint with one or more of these outside organizations. |
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| Consumeraction.gov/Resolve Problems - Legal Information and Help | If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for free legal help from a Legal Aid or Legal Services Corporation (LSC) office. These offices generally offer legal assistance about such things as landlord-tenant relations, credit, utilities, family matters (e.g., divorce and adoption), foreclosure, home equity fraud, social security, welfare, unemployment, and workers’ compensation. If the Legal Aid office in your area does not handle your type of case, it may refer you to other local, state or national organizations that can provide help. | |||
| # | Consumeraction.gov/Resolve Problems - Report Violations and Safety Hazards | Resolve Problems - Report Legal
Violations & Safety Hazards If you suspect a law has been violated, contact your local or state consumer protection agency. Violations of Federal laws should be reported to the Federal Agency responsible for enforcement. While Federal agencies are rarely able to act on behalf of individual consumers, complaints are used to document patterns of abuse that may allow the agency to take action against a company. People who have no intention of delivering what is sold, who misrepresent items, send counterfeit goods or otherwise try to trick you out of your money are committing fraud. If you suspect fraud, there are some additional steps to take. Contact the Federal Trade Commission. Write to the FTC Consumer Response Center, Washington, DC 20580 or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). You can also file electronically, choose the “File a Complaint Online” link at www.ftc.gov. Notify the National Fraud Information Center operated by the National Consumers League, a nonprofit consumer organization. Call 1-800-876-7060 or visit www.fraud.org. |
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| ConsumerReports.org Jan04 - How to Prevent a Shoddy Home-construction Job | ||||
| # | ConsumerReports.org Jan04 - Shoddy Home Construction - Construction Defects | |||
| ConsumerReports.org Jan04 - Shoddy Home Construction, If You Think You Have a Problem | ||||
| # | Contractor's License Reference Site | |||
| DannyLipford.com – Leakproof Flashing | ||||
| # | DannyLipford.com - Roofing | |||
| Elizabeth Dole, Federal Trade Commissioner, Addresses the NAHB | January 21, 1979 “….for too many Americans, the dream home has turned into a nightmare. You know as well as I do that as families move into their own little Garden of Eden, more and more are finding the apple full of worms. As a result, some homebuyers believe they are being bilked for thousands of dollars, and they are expressing not only anguish but outrage. Shoddy building practices can be concealed from many purchasers who cannot be expected to have the technical expertise to evaluate the structural soundness of a home or the quality of electrical, plumbing, or air conditioning systems… The patience of the American consumer is rapidly running out. …Consumers are demanding more protection from the government, not LESS. The consumer movement is no longer made up of small bands of activists with no troops standing behind them; the consumer movement is now part of our culture – it embraces every one of us. And it will not be denied over an issue so fundamental as decent housing… | |||
| # | Federal Lawsuit - Timothy D. Pruitt vs. KB Home | |||
| GAF Materials Corp - Residential and Commercial Roofing | ||||
| # | Give Me Back My Rights! The Dangers of Mandatory Arbitration Clauses | |||
| # | Governor Rendell Vetoes Residential Construction Dispute Resolution Act | |||
| Greg Abbott, Texan Attorney General, Takes Care of His Homebuilder Buddies | Perry Homes is one of the hugest homebuilding companies in Texas. Owner, Bob Perry, is the single biggest financial contributor for Republican politicians in Texas. Perry and his wife have given over $570,000 in political contributions to Abbott, INCLUDING $50,000 in one payment on December 15, 2005 alone – when Perry would have to have known that the Comptroller’s investigation was underway. (Rep. Swinford requested Abbott’s opinion on December 16.) | |||
| # | Grounds to Vacate (Nullify) Arbitration Award | TRIAL DE NOVO OF AN ARBITRATION
AWARD There are basically four grounds on which a court may vacate, or overturn, an award from an arbitration and they are: (1) where the award is the result of corruption, fraud, or undue means. (2) where the arbitrators were evidently partial or corrupt. (3) where the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to postpone the hearing or hear pertinent evidence, or where their misbehavior prejudiced the rights of any party. (4) where the arbitrators exceeded their powers or imperfectly executed them so that a mutual, final, and definite award was not made. |
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| # | Handling Water-Damage and Mold Claims | Important advice when you
discover a potential water damage claim (may also give valuable insight to
other types of claims in a general sense).
This site offers real good tips on ways to prevent mold like checking gutters and insulating pipes and faucets. Since molds require moisture to grow and can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of a water event, stopping the flow of water and drying out materials as soon as possible reduces the potential for mold growth. It´s important that you read your policy carefully to understand what your policy covers and what your policy´s dollar limits are. Information about 'mold testing'. |
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| Hollywood Star's Court Win, A Victory for Homeowners | ||||
| Home Improvement - How to Avoid Paying Twice | ||||
| # | Home Improvement, A Hazard with Unlicensed Contractors | |||
| # | Homebuilders' Campaign Donations Rapped | AUSTIN — Advocates of campaign finance reform and homeowners' rights joined Monday to spotlight almost $9 million in campaign contributions from homebuilder interests over a nearly four-year period that included passage of a law the groups say hurt homebuyers. | ||
| HomeOwners for Better Building - Advice from Award-Winning Author, Jordan Fogal | ||||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Arbitration Used by Home Builders to Subvert Consumer Laws | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Are You Next, by Award-Winning Author, Jordan Fogal | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - BBB Looking at Growing Trend of Defective Homes | |||
| HomeOwners for Better Building - Binding Arbitration NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE BENCH Kangaroo Court | ||||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Building Industry Bullies BBB Over Consumer Complaints | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Buy a New Home- Don’t Sue and Shut Up | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Buy a New KB Home and Shut Up | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Homebuyers are Regulated and Builders are Not Regulated | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Homebuilder’s Right-to-Repair Illusion Exposed in Nevada | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - KHOU Ch.11 Houston Special Investigation | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - Message from Award-Winning Author, Jordan Fogal | |||
| # | HomeOwners for Better Building - New Home Buyers Guide | |||
| HomeOwners for Better Building - Warning! New Home Buyers Avoid Builder Contracts | ||||
| How To Select a Home Improvement Contractor - Rockland Co. | ||||
| # | HUD & FTC Quietly Investigates KB Home | |||
| # | Hurt? Injured? Need a Lawyer? Too Bad! | |||
| Judicial Selection in New York: An Introduction | ||||
| Just Who Is Watching Out for Texas Homeowners? | Carlos
Guerra In Austin, Just Who Is Watching Out For Texas Homeowners? Carlos Guerra San Antonio Express-News A study released Monday by a campaign finance reform group and three homeowner groups underscores why Texas' pay-to-play politics must be stopped. The damning report by Homeowners for Better Building, Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, Take Back Your Rights and Campaigns for People is appropriately titled: "Big Money and Shoddy Construction: Texas Homeowners Left Out In the Cold." It documents how homebuilders dropped $8.9 million on Texas politicos from 2001 through 2004, $1 million of it to the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker, and $238,450 to the Legislature's committee members charged with watching out for homeowners. And it details the amazing return they got for it. |
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| # | KB Home Settlement Approved | |||
| # | KB Home Settles Class Action Binding Arbitration Case | |||
| # | KB Home's Long History of Ignoring FTC Settlement | |||
| # | KB Profits will be Greater | |||
| # | KUFM Commentary - July 13, 2004 | |||
| Life Times - Tips on Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor | ||||
| May 26 2005-Governor Henry vetoes "Right to Repair" | ||||
| # | Moldy 'Lemon' Homes Denied Day In Court | |||
| Nassau Co. Office of Consumer Affairs Home Improvement Licensing | ||||
| # | New House Building: Money Saving, Convenience, and Healthy House Tips | |||
| New York State Association of Home Inspectors | The Home Inspection Professional Licensing Bill | |||
| NY Courts.gov - Guide for ProSes.pdf | ||||
| NYC.gov - Sample Home Improvement Contract.pdf | Sample Home Improvement Contract - Some statements may be specific to NYC | |||
| # | NYC.gov-Home Improvement Consumer Guide | Use a credit card, additional protection under the Federal Fair Credit Act | ||
| # | Oklahoma Bill-Text For SB1749 | Bill Text For SB1749 | ||
| On The House with the Carey Bros. Mechanics' Liens | Your understanding of
"Mechanics' Liens" could prevent you from paying twice for any
phase of your project, and safeguard you from losing your house to a
disgruntled creditor in a nasty foreclosure sale because a material bill or
service bill was not paid. Lien releases are a must: There are two types—conditional and unconditional (or full releases). You should not make a payment to your general contractor unless you receive a conditional lien release in exchange. The conditional release will become unconditional when the check clears the bank. You can insist on an unconditional release with each payment if you are willing to provide the contractor with a certified check or a cashier's check. Before making final payment, require your general contractor to furnish unconditional lien releases from all subs and material suppliers. |
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| On The House with the Carey Bros. Shopping for a Contractor | This article talks about the
importance using a design and building plans if you consider remodeling your
home. Homeowners should require the contractor to fill aut a credit application allowing for verification of bank, trade and credit references which will at least ensure that the contractor is legitimate and that he is financially sound. Why not? Many contractors require homeowners to complete a lengthy credit application. Evaluate a contractor is by the contract he uses. The contract will spell out the rights of each party and their respective responsibilities, and should treat each party fairly. |
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| On The House with the Carey Bros.Warranties on Composition Roof Cover Aren't So Hot | Before you sign on the dotted line, get a copy of the warranty -- take it home and read it. Most warranties for composition roof covering aren't so hot. In the first year the manufacturer will warrant all labor and material. But, for the next 19-to-39 years, you get a pro-rated settlement on material only. For example: a $4,000 roof that fails in the fifth year might get you a check from the roof manufacturer for about $500. | |||
| Open house for litigation; KB Home settles dispute in Laredo | ||||
| # | The Oregonian - Licensed, Bonded, and Unaccountable | |||
| OSHA Review Commission Decision | Use safety nets to protect employees working more than 25 feet above ground. | |||
| # | Pathnet.org - Improving the Building Industry Insurance Situation Through Quality Assurance Programs | |||
| Pathnet.org - Resources for Homeowners | ||||
| # | Project Vote Smart - Governor Brad Henry | |||
| Public Citizen - Investigate Insurers’ Use of Questionable Arbitration Firm | ||||
| # | Public Citizen | Press Room - Arbitration More Expensive Than Court – So Costly That Many Victims Give Up | |||
| # | The Right Wing's Drive for 'Tort Reform' | |||
| Rita Insurance Hotline | ||||
| Roofing Contractor's Failure to Guard Workers Against Fall Hazards Leads to Nearly $58,000 in OSHA Fines | A Rochester roofing contractor's
failure to protect workers against falls of up to 21 feet at a Greece, N.Y.,
jobsite has resulted in a total of $57,800 in fines from the U.S. Labor
Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Upstate Roofing Inc., of 1300 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road in Rochester, has been cited for alleged willful and serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act following an OSHA inspection conducted Sept. 11, 2003, at a jobsite located at 2780 Ridge Road West in Greece. OSHA began its inspection after employees were observed working without fall protection at roof's edge. "Employers know that fall protection is required whenever workers work six feet or more above the next level, so the company faces a tough fine for the disregard for worker safety," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's Buffalo area director. "Falls are the number one killer in construction work." OSHA issued a willful citation, with a proposed fine of $56,000, for the lack of fall protection. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard for, the requirements of the OSHA Act and regulations. |
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| Sandra Bullock Takes the Stand | ||||
| Sandra Bullock to Flatten Her £4m House of Horrors | ||||
| Sandra Bullock’s Days in Court | ||||
| # | Six Steps to Get You Through Small Claims Court | |||
| Small Claims Court Action Center | ||||
| # | Texas Court Finalizes KB Home Arbitration Class Action Lawsuit | |||
| # | Texas Court Invalidates KB Home's Forced Arbitration | |||
| # | Texas Watch - TRCCA FAQ's | |||
| U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez pushes for answers in KB investigation | ||||
| # | Westchester Co. Home Impr. Law | |||
| What You Should Know About Asphalt Roofing & Choosing a Contractor | Warranties Warranties on asphalt shingles usually range from 20 to 40 years. According to contractors, most problems of either workmanship or material show up within the first five years. You should look for manufacturers’ warranties that provide full coverage for labor and materials in the first three to five years after application. Many manufacturers currently train and certify installers using their products and will guarantee installation beyond existing material warranties. Carefully review the manufacturer’s warranty stipulations. You will want to know what responsibilities and financial obligation manufacturers assume if their products fail to reach their expected lives. |
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| Winter Roofing Issues | ||||
| Witness: Rot Ruined Sandra Bullock's Home | ||||
