When you begin to notice your concrete starting to crack, crumble, or incur damage, its time to look to a professional repair service to avoid issues becoming worse.Â
Unfortunately, even in the floor coating replacement industry, there are a few bad eggs out to take advantage of unfortunate situations.
When you partner with a repair scam artist, you will likely be left high and dry with the money gone from your pocket and an untouched surface.Â
Based on the wisdom of those who have fallen victim to sneaky and creative floor coating replacement scam artists, here are three tips to help you stay aware and safe:
1. Take A Closer Look
While it may seem silly, a great first step is to take a look at every aspect of the visuals on a company when you begin a conversation with them about the driveway or other concrete floor repairs.
- Does their organization have a logo?
- Consistent branding?
- Professional attire for their team members?
- A business card?
Most reputable service companies will have a look and feel that sets them apart from so-and-so down the street who claims he can “take care of that driveway crack for you real quick!”
Check with the BBB or other small business companies in your area to ensure that this floor coating company is real and trusted by other consumers before beginning the process of obtaining estimates.
2. Slow Down & Do Your Research
When you are needing work completed, you should always be in the driver’s seat. From the moment you contact a repair company or contractor team, make sure that the timeline is on a schedule that you personally feel comfortable with.
If anyone approaches you directly, you may want to slow down and request as much information upfront as possible before taking their advice.
The best way to weed out scammers is to ask for written estimates for the entire project, as well as a list of references that can back up their “professional services”. If possible, see if they can offer examples of past work they have completed.
This thorough process will only help you if something fishy pops up in the process – most scammers have left a wake of destruction behind them that other victims are happy to share with you.
3. Record Everything
Before any money is exchanged for services, make sure to request that you receive written, signed copies of everything discussed.
This includes contracts for the contractor team, lists of materials needed, any liability or insurance paperwork, and a list of contact information for everyone who will be on your property or accepting your money.
With proper contact information in hand, you will have something tangible to fall back on should anything in the job process go sideways.
Related Post: 4 Tips To Avoid A Bad Concrete Repair Job
Knowledge Is Power
By taking these three precautions early in the process, you can help ensure that your floor coating is replaced or repaired by a reputable company that has experience in the industry.
While it may be tempting to jump in and quickly repair a scary problem, a quality repair service will calmly walk you through the entire process without pressure, and help you make the decision that is best for you.
Make sure you do your research and contact only professional flooring experts in your area.
