Hiring a Builder or Roofer? How to Avoid Getting Burned on Home Repairs
A year after Hurricane Melissa, many Jamaican families are still fixing roofs, walls and windows, and good tradespeople are in demand. That makes it a perfect time for fake contractors and grant scammers. Here is how to check who you are hiring, protect your money and stay clear of the tricks being used right now.
Never hire on the spot
After disasters, people pretending to run home-repair businesses go door to door. JN Bank's advice is simple: never hire contractors on the spot, do your due diligence, and consider professionals who belong to associations that follow standards.
A security expert speaking to the Jamaica Observer after the hurricane, urged people to verify contractors' credentials, ask for proof of authorisation and valid ID, and double-check with the company when in doubt. He also warned about people pretending to be from utility companies or government agencies.
Check the business is real
If a contractor gives you a business or company name, look it up. The Companies Office of Jamaica keeps a public register of companies and business names, and says registration lets people "check your business name online and make sure you are a legal business". If the name on the business card does not match anything on the register, ask why.
Also ask for:
- names and numbers of recent customers you can call
- photos, or better, addresses of jobs they have finished
- a physical address, not just a phone number
Put it in writing
A handshake is not enough for a job that costs serious money. Before work begins, agree in writing:
- exactly what will be done and what materials will be used
- the total price, and what happens if costs change
- who buys the materials
- start and finish dates
- a payment schedule tied to finished stages of work
Do not pay everything up front
Pressure to pay the full amount before work starts, often blamed on rising material prices, is a classic warning sign. Pay a reasonable deposit, then release money as each stage is completed and you, or someone you trust, have seen the work. If you live overseas and are paying for repairs back home, this matters even more. Ask a trusted relative to inspect and photograph progress before each payment.
Watch out for grant scams
The government's ROOFS programme gives grants to households whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned in January, as reported by JIS, that scammers may offer to "help you get" the grant. His message: "There is no intermediary." The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is not hiring any agent to help you get it, and he asked people to dismiss anyone who claims otherwise.
The Office of the Prime Minister has also said that only homes formally assessed by the Ministry are eligible for government roof repair or reconstruction grants, and that people who have not been assessed can self-report damage through the Ministry's own website. Never pay anyone a "processing fee" for a government grant.
Quick checklist
- Get at least two or three quotes
- Check the business name on the COJ register
- Call past customers
- Get a written agreement
- Pay in stages, never all at once
- Keep receipts for every payment
- Report suspected scams to the police
Plenty of honest, skilled tradespeople are working hard to rebuild Jamaica, and many advertise their services locally, including on Splash Jamaica. A few simple checks help you find them and avoid the ones who are only after your money.