New Jersey contractors must be registered with the Attorney Generals Office and the Division of Consumer Affairs
or be in the process. They must also carry at least $500,000 of general liability insurance. I use State Farm Insurance
because of their reliability. I have never had a claim, although I want my customers to be assured they
have a reliable
insurance company if anything ever did happen. It is your right to ask about this information and it really
scares off devious contractors. There are forms from the Attorney Generals Office that the contractor has to provide
as proof, and you can ask for a certificate of insurance from the contractor. Do yourself a favor and ask for this information.
I know everyone likes a good deal when an offer comes along from a fly by night contractor, it sounds great.
First its the sweet talk about what they can do for you. Then its how the registered contractor is a rip off
with their price, and how their going to give probably half the price of a good contractor. Then they need money
to get the materials probably half. Here is a short list of what happens a lot of the time.
- They may do the job, but without inspection so who knows what might happen, nothing, a small flood, a fire or
worse. I think you get the meaning.
- They ask for half down and keep calling you they are sick or a similar story. Then you never hear from them
again.
- They do the job maybe right maybe not,and your family is at risk for injury or worse.
- There is no insurance company to get reimbursement and what is the fly by night going to do? Answer nothing!
The story could go on but just to let you know if these things happen, and your insurance finds out your probably
not going to be covered.
One of the largest complaints of The NJ and Pennsylvania Attorney General Office is rip off contractors.
I spoke to a Pennsylvania Code Department Office worker who states Pennsylvania's Attorney Generals Office
will make registration manditory also.
Its your choice but its not worth it.
