• Build Trust• Advertise Honestly• Tell the Truth• Be Transparent• Honor Promises• Be Responsive• Safeguard Privacy• Embody Integrity

BBB® Accreditation Standards for Trust

To be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.

BBB® Mission

An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

BBB® Vision

Hiring a Contractor

TRACK RECORD. Check out the company’s BBB® Business Review at bbb.org/centralohio. It’s fast, easy and free! You can also call the BBB® Help Line at (614) 486-6336.

COST COMPARISONS. Get at least three bids in writing and be sure you compare the bids based on the same warranty, specifications, labor and time.

LICENSING. Check with your local municipality to see if the company has a proper (HIC) home improvement contractor license to perform the work.

INSURANCE. Verify that the company has liability insurance to protect you against damage.

REFERENCES. Ask for references from the company’s last three jobs and check them out before you sign a contract. Use extra caution with those who are going door-to-door in your neighborhood, or are putting fliers in mailboxes and claiming to be doing work with your neighbors.

WRITTEN CONTRACT. Do not permit work to start without a signed, written contract that includes start and completion dates, extra costs, specific work to be done, and warranty information. Be sure to read the fine print carefully.

DEPOSIT REQUIRED AND PAYMENT. Do not pay large payments up front. Stagger your payments according to work stages and do not make a final payment until the job is completed. Do not pay cash; pay by check or credit card.

BUILDING PERMITS. Permits are for your protection and help ensure work will meet local building codes. Homeowners bear the cost, but companies should be responsible for obtaining any necessary permits.

BONDING. Be sure all workers are bonded to protect you against theft and damage.

CRIMINAL HISTORY. Check out anyone you allow onto your property to see if they have a criminal history.

Follow BBB’s 10-TIP CHECKLIST When Hiring a Contractor®

Hiring a Contractor

Follow BBB’s

When Hiring a Contractor

10-TIP CHECKLIST

The BBB® provides millions of business reviews to the community each year. Inquiries into these businesses are made by people who want to know the reputation and credibility of a company before they do business with them.

We regularly review charities to see if they meet BBB’s standards that focus on how the organization is governed, ways money is spend, and accuracy of its representations and transparency of its internal operations. We then report the findings.

BBB® staff facilitate the resolution of disputes between consumers and businesses. This is a free service to the community.

We regularly review local advertising to create a fair playing field for the marketplace. When advertising appears confusing or needs more information, we contact the advertiser and request proper modifications. We also request third-party substantiation for measurable, persuasive claims.

We work with media outlets, government agencies and attend public events to educate everyone about common and current scams.

BBB® Consumer Services are offered free to everyone and available locally, nationally, online and in person.

About Your BBB®

Kip Morse,President/CEO

Better Business Bureau® Serving Central Ohio1169 Dublin Road

Columbus, OH 43215(614) 486-6336

bbb.org/centralohio