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BEWARE THE SCAMMING CONTRACTOR!

Scam artists are nothing new and we are hearing about them even more frequently during this tough economy. While the elderly are often the victims, any of us who don’t pay close attention could fall prey to their tactics. Often when an offer sounds too good to turn down it should be seen as a red flag to look closer at what the reality is and research the contractor further. Below are a few common tactics that the scamming contractor may use.

- Payment Before Work

NEVER pay for a job in full before work is completed and do NOT trust a contractor that asks you to!  In California, a contractor may not ask for more than 10% or $1,000 down, whichever is less. On larger jobs, the balance of the contract amount may be paid in “progress payments” coinciding with completion milestones.  The final payment should not be made until the job is complete.

- “One-Time” Special Offer

We all know that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and recently it seems they are more frequent than ever.  So it’s a little hard to believe that this is the “one time” that a company has ever or will ever offer a special.  Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references.

- The “Random” Contractor

If someone claiming to be a contractor pulls up in an unmarked truck wants to talk to you, be cautious! Stay outdoors in public view and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Anyone that enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. Verify their name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. If you are considering working with them make sure you check their insurance information, bonding, and reputation. You don’t want a fly-by-night contractor that will be nowhere to be found if something goes wrong a year down the road.

The Bottom Line

Common sense and good judgment offer the best protection from contractor scams.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! Take advantage of resources such as the Better Business Bureau and the Contractor State License Board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. If there is a history of customer complaints, lawsuits or expired licenses, you probably should steer clear of that contractor. Take your time to find the right fit for you and your project and ask for references. Get more than one estimate for your project, compare “apples to apples” and make sure you understand why there may be price differences.  Most importantly, don't sign any contract that you don't understand completely.  A good contractor will take the time to answer your questions patiently and thoroughly without high sales pressure.

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1. We’re committed to your project’s success

A lot of painters do the bare minimum, just to get by and move on. That’s not who we are or how we’ve built our reputation.

2. You can feel comfortable with our team

From the estimator to our office team, field employees to Crew Leader, we want you to know that you’re valued, cared for, and safe.

3. We’ll do the job correctly

You deserve total transparency, accountability, and exceptional work. No skipped steps or opting for the “easy way.”

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Because we know we’re doing it all the right way, we can confidently stand by our work. We’re picky, and we want you to be 100% satisfied.

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I wanted to have my kitchen cabinets painted but knew that that was a job that required skill and expertise. I called Brooks Painting and the experience from start to finish was perfect! Everyone I dealt with was personable and good at their jobs. They spent time answering questions, explaining the exact process, and did the work precisely as promised. They even did a few other small jobs (repairing and painting 2 water damaged ceilings) to perfection. And everything was neat and clean when they left! And the cabinets – better than I could have hoped for. Esteban is a master craftsman who was meticulous in every aspect of his work. The finish is smooth as glass with no imperfections. I couldn’t be happier!

Christina Fotenos
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It was fun working with Chris and his crew. I’ve never had a contracted job go so smoothly from start to finish. The office was responsive to my needs, Corey was patient and helpful while I made color choices, and Chris made sure I was happy with the crew’s work every step of the way. Gabriel does amazing work as well. Very much a perfectionist like Chris. I don’t have a bad thing to say. The job is absolutely stunning and I’ve had so many neighbors tell me it’s beautiful. I’m happy to put one of your signs in my front yard if you’d like so people know as they drive by who did the work. Thank you Brooks Painting. I will be recommending you to anybody who asks.

D. White
Google

Easy to work with - pleasant, efficient, competent, always available, answered all questions. Totally professional - each person. Thank you all! A great job!

Stephanie Brown F.

Very professional, I appreciate the time they took to make sure everything was taken care of for my house! I really liked that Jaime stepped up and told me not to paint my front door like the house and then chose a color that worked great. Thank you!

Dale S.

We chose Brooks Painting based on their excellent reputation. It was an excellent choice! We had them do a complete exterior and almost complete interior painting of our two story house. They were done separately, while we were out of town. We are very pleased with the quality of the work. They even fixed up a few mistakes made by a crew that painted a portion of our interior ceilings a month prior (removal of asbestos popcorn ceiling), at no extra charge. Cleanup was great, also. They repaired some dry rot that was uncovered (extra charge, but worth it), and they even moved furniture back into place as well as put back the curtain rods that I had taken down, which wasn't expected. I highly recommend them, and will use them again for any future paint jobs.

Charlie Russell
Google

Great job in every way- quality of work to customer service.

Debbie M.

Competent, very thorough, listened to my wishes, very accommodating. Hard workers, friendly, happy, willing to please.

Kay M

Very professional, live up to their billing! [The] company was very cooperative, on top of everything. [They] followed through with their commitment.

Marylan T.

I have always received excellent customer service and the crews are always very concerned about ensuring satisfaction!

Shawn W.

My house is so beautiful now…great work. Courteous, prompt, awesome work.

Lisa H.

Another great job by Brooks Paining. they did a great job on our trim painting and siding varnish. They were very timely and considerate of our home and property. This is our 3rd time in 19 years utilizing Brooks Painting. We haven't been let done. 👍👍

T Thompson

Mark and the team from Brook’s Painting are exceptional at their jobs. We recently renovated a 5000sqft home and they did all the painting. Their attention to detail and investment in our project is so appreciated, and we knew we were in good hands with them. The value they add by identifying issues, making suggestions and going the extra mile to deliver quality work and make sure we are happy with our home is such a breath of fresh air. I would hire this team and company for any future work in a heartbeat and can’t say enough how amazing they are!

Kirsten Martin
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