The RCMP is warning the public to be careful about shady contractors who will ask for money upfront to complete a project, only to provide substandard or incomplete work.
The RCMP say they are investigating several complaints over the last few months involving North Battleford, Glaslyn, Turtleford and Lloydminster.
According to the RCMP, the complaints all involve an agreement for contract services to be completed, with contractors asking the customers to pay a portion of or all the balance up front, prior to the work commencing.
What has resulted in many cases is work starting but not being completed, work not being started at all, or cases where the workmanship is poor and the contractor is not standing behind their work.
The RCMP and North Battleford crown prosecutors office is currently investigating these transactions to determine if they are criminal in nature.
The RCMP is offering a number of suggestions to the public to guard against the problem They include:
-obtaining written agreements between contractor and customers outlining the specific work to be done, detailed estimates of cost and a specific time frame for the work to be done. This should be both signed a dated
- keep all documentation and obtain receipts immediately for all money that changes hands
- if at all possible pay for the work after it is complete and you are satisfied with it. If they insist on being paid up front it may be better to look elsewhere
-obtain estimates from multiple contractors to ensure fair pricing
- ask for references and check with the Better Business Bureau
- ask for a business license valid for the area they are working. All honest contractors will have this, say the RCMP. If not, you may consider looking elsewhere.
The RCMP adds that most contractors are honest and rely on the good quality of their work to carry their reputation and business forward, but unfortunately a few contractors may be trying to take advantage of certain persons.
