Contract Fraud in the Home Improvement Industry

Contract Fraud in the Home Improvement Industry

The Homeservice Club of Canada has found that taking the uncertainty out of the process of selecting a contractor is a winning strategy. When it comes to choosing a contractor, its members don't have to cross their fingers; instead, they can depend on the Club's innovative quotation system to complete the project on time and under budget, with assured standards of craftsmanship.

For homeowners, the method not only ensures the quality of the job, but it also eliminates the stress associated with dealing with contractors. The Homeservice Club of Toronto member Ann Buffer expresses her gratitude, saying, "I can't believe how much it has helped me." "Roof leaks had plagued me for many years, and every time I contacted a contractor, they completed the bare minimum of work while receiving a substantial payment. It's just a few weeks later that my roof starts to leak once again. I called Homeservice Club and became a member, and they gave me a contractor that had a highly respectable track record the very next day, all within one day. My roof was repaired in a timely manner, and I was satisfied with the results. Their method ensured that I would not be taken advantage of in the same way that I had been in the past."

Contractors benefit from the system since it guarantees that they are able to maintain full capacity while spending less time on sales and administrative duties. It allows them to spend more time on the job that they are most passionate about.

When compared to other contractor referral companies, the Club's unique "quote" methodology and Double Guarantee set it apart from the competition. Members who pay a modest annual fee have their calls answered by in-office service professionals. A variety of trades are represented by each representative, such as bricklaying, roofing, and electrical work. When a member phones in to seek a quotation for a renovation or repair, the work is allocated to the most qualified contractor, who is then responsible for completing the job. The member is advised to get at least three estimates from club experts when working on a bigger project. To ensure that each and every contractor is happy and operating at their maximum capacity, the tasks are evenly divided among all contractors. They keep track of the progress of each project and communicate with the members to ensure that the work is completed to their complete and total satisfaction. If the contractor is unable or unwilling to finish the work correctly, a replacement is sent to correct the situation. Finally, both the individual contractor and the Club provide a warranty for the job they do.

Richard Felton, the Club's president, says, "We take the stress out of house improvements." "When you need anything done, it's convenient to be able to contact one number for all of your needs. Also included is the piece of mind that comes with knowing that the individual entering your house has been prescreened and bonded by Homeservice Club."

However, according to Felton, the most essential element of his company is the "Double Guarantee" that he provides to customers. "You hear horror stories about remodeling disasters all the time-contractors collecting a deposit and then disappearing, or contractors who don't complete the work. That is what distinguishes us from our competitors in the home remodeling industry: we promise that the work will be finished to the customer's satisfaction, "Felton said to himself. "In addition to the individual contractor's warranty, we provide our own. If the work is not completed to your satisfaction, we will send someone else in to complete it. This provides the member with a twofold assurance of complete pleasure. "

From the day Harry Felton opened his doors in 1961 to safeguard homeowners from "shoddy workmanship and fly-by-night contractors," Homeservice Club has been in the business of protecting homeowners. Today, his son is in charge of the family company, but the idea is still based on his father's original vision. A modest monthly membership fee provides homeowners with access to a network of over 400 qualified, bonded, and insured contractors in almost any trade conceivable for a small annual charge. The contractors are all independent tradesmen who compete with one another for the business of members, allowing pricing to remain competitive in the market.

As well as discounts on everything from automobiles to vacations, security systems to real estate, insurance to appliances, club members get access to a comprehensive shopping network.

According to Felton, the Homeservice Club concept is a win-win situation for both the homeowner and the contractor who participates. The president said, "We eliminate the trouble of finding a contractor for our members, and we eliminate the difficulty of operating a company for our contractors." Everyone benefits.