| Taking extra effort to find a cheap contractor and | | | | Forever after you'll be able to boast that you "built it" |
| you may find yourself paying for the job TWICE. It's | | | | yourself. Still you must be sure you have the |
| an old trick but still pulled on unsuspecting customers. | | | | complete approval of all the local inspectors. They |
| After you've paid the bill, you receive another, | | | | may be on the contractor's pay or gift roll. Not on |
| separate one for SUPPLIES. You say you're not that | | | | yours. Read the local building code yourself rather |
| gullible. Let's hope not. | | | | than take anyone's word for it. You can find it in the |
| Are the words "all supplies and materials" in that | | | | reference room at your public library. And make sure |
| contract you're about to sign? If they are not then | | | | you understand whatever contractor's obligations you |
| you can certainly be held liable to pay for them even | | | | undertake. For example, is that painter's helper going |
| though you were under the impression that the "job" | | | | to fall off your roof? Ask your insurance agent if |
| meant everything included. That's no excuse. In most | | | | you're covered for that. If you hire little |
| states there still exist many interesting variations of | | | | subcontractors, such as carpenters and plasterers, |
| the old "mechanic's lien"- and if you don't think such a | | | | you can't necessarily take their word that they have |
| lien is tough, you're mistaken! You pay up or, if it | | | | insurance on their helpers. |
| comes to that, you lose your home! | | | | Just as a sidelight. This may happen to you some |
| Now of course if you're a handyman or like to play | | | | time. You may come home to find a half-built patio |
| at building you might entertain the notion of being | | | | that you never ordered, or a dug-up driveway. |
| your own contractor. Given your ability and common | | | | Apologetically, the workmen grin and say they must |
| managerial sense may not be a bad idea. You can | | | | have had the wrong address. What do you do? |
| buy lumber discards from furniture factories, get | | | | Offer them a can of beer and laugh the whole thing |
| workmen cheap from nearby construction projects | | | | off? Not at all. Get their identification immediately, |
| when they happen to be free for a couple of hours, | | | | phone your lawyer right away, ACT or you'll pay for |
| get things done just the way you want them - and | | | | the work whether you ordered it or not! |
| learn a lot in the bargain. | | | | |