Home & Yard Handbook

Carmen Santora, Executive Director of the Better Contractors Bureau is warning consumers contemplating having their driveway sealed that there are contractors presently in our area from out of state using unscrupulous tactics when sealing driveways.

Santora says, “The usual rule of thumb when sealer is mixed is, for every 100 gallons of sealer 30-40 gallons of water should be added. The scam artists are doing it the opposite and in some cases we have been told that some are mixing as little as 10 gallons of sealer to 100 gallons of water.” In reality all you’re getting is black, colored water that will wash off with a rain.

In one such case a caller complained (wouldn’t give his name) and said that the contractor he went with practically was chasing the sealer down the drive way, that’s how much water was in the mix. He said he went strictly on price and he should have known better when he paid $39.00 after getting two other estimates for $89.00 and $99.00. He also forgot that when he did his driveway himself a few years back that it took 4 five gallons pails at approximately $15.00 each and along with having to buy a broom/squeegee the cost to do it then was $65.00 for materials only.

Consumers should watch out for special so called deals and especially watch for out of state license plates and don’t fall for the line, “I’ve got some sealer left over and can give you a really good price”. 

Remember, a good driveway sealer contractor will blow off the entire driveway, use a weed eater on the edges, cover the sidewalk between the truck and driveway to prevent accidental spillage from a storage tank and barricade the entrance when finished. 

Contractors should also carry liability insurance in case of damage to your property, such as over splash on your overhead garage door or siding. Remember, the old saying “you get what you pay for” really applies with driveway sealing. For a recommendation of BCB driveway sealers you can call the office at 585-338-3600 or go to the BCB website at www.the-bcb.net.  

Carmen Santora is the Executive Director for the Better Contractors Bureau.  The BCB is a non-profit consumer protection agency established in 1974 to be of assistance to the homeowner.  Its goals are to “protect & inform” the consumer, eliminate unscrupulous contractors, and upgrade the image of the home improvement industry.

Now that spring is here the unscrupulous, fly-by-night contractors will shortly follow. “They will descend on the area like the returning geese from the south each year”, said Carmen Santora, Executive Director. Along with their return, will be the problems that they bring to unsuspecting homeowners contemplating a remodeling project for their home.

The Better Contractors Bureau, (B.C.B. as it is known) a thirty year old, non profit consumer protection agency operating in Monroe and the five surrounding counties would like to help to prevent most problems consumers will face by offering the following guidelines when dealing with a home improvement contractor:

• Always obtain three written estimates from similar size companies. More will confuse you!
• Check out the contractor’s reputation and complaint record with the Better Contractors Bureau.
• Check to be sure that the contractor carries the proper liability & workmen’s comp insurance.
• Make sure the contractor’s contract contains all the requirements under Article 36A of the NYS Business law. (Call the Attorney General’s office at 327-3240 and ask for a copy of the “Home Improvement Fact Sheet” to be sent to you.
• Never give large down payments unless specialty items are needed for your project.
• Never fall for the gimmick that your house will be used as “demonstration”.
• Rule the contractor out that uses “high pressure” tactics to get you to sign a contract immediately.
• Be cautious of the contractor who comes to your door unsolicited, especially if they tell you that they have left over material and can give you a terrific deal if you sign now!
• Don’t fall for the false claim that a particular contractor will be giving you an exceptionally long guarantee. One-year labor guarantee is usually the rule of thumb in the area.
• Don’t deal with a contractor that has out of state license plates on their vehicles or who uses a P.O. Box number for their address unless you can verify their actual business address.
• Never pay by cash and if pressured to do so be leery of the contractor even if they offer a discount for paying cash. Only pay by checks and only made out to the company name!
• Don’t make final payment or sign a lien release until you are satisfied with the work!
• Check with the city or town building departments to insure any necessary permits required have been obtained!
• Remember the old saying, “if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn’t”.
• Don’t go by contractor given references, they certainty won’t give you any that have complained and some may even be friends or relatives of the contractors.

Most contractors are honest, hard working, professionals and it is only the few “bad apples” that makes the Home Improvement Industry the constant most complained about business. 

Carmen Santora is the Executive Director for the Better Contractors Bureau.  The BCB is a non-profit consumer protection agency established in 1974 to be of assistance to the homeowner.  Its goals are to “protect & inform” the consumer, eliminate unscrupulous contractors, and upgrade the image of the home improvement industry.

For a FREE copy of the Better Contractors Bureau’s annual Consumer Guide call the office at 338-3600 or visit the BCB website at www.the-bcb.net