How can I avoid home repair rip-offs?

If your home is damaged by severe weather or some other disaster, insurance companies and state regulators are urging homeowners to watch out. Through home repair fraud, many con artists are on the prowl are looking for victims.

Ray Cooper, North Carolina's attorney general claims, "Most people and businesses will go the extra mile to help you during an emergency. Unfortunately, there are a few who will try to take advantage of your desperation to scam you. Don't let them make your money and run. Take some simple steps to make sure you do not suffer from another disaster, a man-made disaster caused by scammers'.

Cooper offers these tips for homeowners:

• Don't pay a large sum of money in advance: Paying in advance is like a gift to these con artists. Until you have signed, written contracts no money should be paid. It is reasonable to pay a down payment for large projects, but never pay something in advance.

• Be careful: Be sure that both you and your family are safe. Don't try to move downed power lines. Instead, call your utility instantly for assistance.

• Stay away from a contractor who urges your decision and who comes to your home offering help: Even if you are desperate to get your home back to its previous condition, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be careful when picking a contractor. Instead of signing a deal with the first contractor that comes to help, shop around and take some time to look for the contractor that's right for you. Many con artists attempt to trick people into thinking that because they are the first to offer their help, they are the nicest and the most diligent.

• Have three estimates for the work and compare bids: Check this contractor's credentials. You can do so by contacting the Better Business Bureau and your state's attorney general to learn about the contractor's complaint history.

• Talk to your insurance company: An adjuster's prior approval is required my most insurance companies. If possible, videotape or photograph the damage that was made to your house.

• Before you pay, inspect the work and make sure that you are completely satisfied with it: This is a pretty basic tip. Don't pay for something if you aren't going to be satisfied with the work.

• Make sure that the contractor provides you with a written contract dealing all the work to be performed, a completion date, and the costs: Those are the things that should be included in a proper contract. Your contractor should be able to have that information on the contract that he provides you with.