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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.”

4. We’ll stand by our job

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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4.9 rating from 350+ reviews

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We are long time happy customers with many positive experiences with Brooks Painting. We have appreciated the assistance (and patience) with selecting paint colors, the professionalism of the staff and the high quality of workmanship. We recently had some interior painting done and the crew was on time, neat, careful inside the house and very easy to work with. They also cheerfully handled some unexpected drywall repair. I highly recommend Brooks Painting.

Teri Greenfield
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This is a business you can trust to do an excellent job and keep all promises. Came on time, completed in time stated, beautiful result!

Sandra & David M.

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

Lisa H.

Brooks did a fantastic job on our exterior and interior paint jobs. Quality was high, price was reasonable, and the team was extremely professional and detail-oriented. Mark was our crew lead and the team performed a number of exterior wood repairs, a door re-stain, interior and exterior painting. Mark clearly takes a lot of pride in his work and went above and beyond to ensure the work was high-quality, including finding exact matching siding to fix dry rot, and performing minor repairs that weren't even included in the quote. He and the team were all consistently positive and personable, joking with each other throughout the day, while also genuinely complimenting each other on the quality of their work. It was great to see, and that positivity definitely showed through the work they did. We couldn't be happier with the end result.

Ryan Schauland
Google

We would recommend them highly. [They] painted and did a good job. Kept everything clean and cleaned up after, very polite.

Muriel Y.

You are an excellent company and I couldn't be any happier with your work. This is your second job for me and both were excellent.

Donald S., Realtor

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

Shawn W.

Brooks did a fantastic job on our exterior and interior paint jobs. Quality was high, price was reasonable, and the team was extremely professional and detail-oriented. Mark was our crew lead and the team performed a number of exterior wood repairs, a door re-stain, interior and exterior painting. Mark clearly takes a lot of pride in his work and went above and beyond to ensure the work was high-quality, including finding exact matching siding to fix dry rot, and performing minor repairs that weren't even included in the quote. He and the team were all consistently positive and personable, joking with each other throughout the day, while also genuinely complimenting each other on the quality of their work. It was great to see, and that positivity definitely showed through the work they did. We couldn't be happier with the end result.

Ryan Schauland
Google

Brooks Painting has be in business a long time in our area. As a native resident we have seen and heard of their professional & quality painting. In looking for bids on painting our house Brooks was referred numerous times. When Jeremy came out to meet us we were sold on using their services and looked no further. Every aspect of this company was very upfront, professional and made us feel safe, valued and comfortable hiring them. The office staff kept good communication with us. The color matching was perfect. The crew showed up on time, were respectful and did a great job from prep to the final end of the project. The warranty offered was a plus and the liability coverage gave us peace of mind also. The price was well worth all that was included in the project so we had little to do but move our stuff away from the house. Thank you Brooks painting, crew and staff for making our home new again :)

Karen Boone
Google

Listened to my needs and offered good suggestions. Customer confidence in value and quality.

John K.

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
Google

Chris and Gabriel were amazing. Corey was patient and helpful in answering questions and while I decided on colors. The office was easy to contact and had good follow-through. Thank you so much to Brooks for a job I could not possibly be happier with. Feel free to use me as a reference!

Laura P

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COREY SCHMIDT

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Residential and Commercial Estimator Corey is a wonderful asset to our sales team! Whether you're seeking expertise for a residential interior, cabinet, or exterior painting project, or you're a commercial owner or contractor in need of a quote, Corey is your go-to expert!

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Ryan Lowery

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Residential Estimator Ryan is a fantastic new addition to our sales team! If you have a residential interior, cabinet or exterior project, book with Ryan!

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    Why Work with Brooks Painting

    Quality

    Our reputation is built on our painting craftsmanship and excellence.

    Prompt Service

    We are proud of our reputation for friendly, prompt service, and this positive attitude is reflected by every one of our employees.

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    We offer a three-year labor guarantee for all painting projects involving one coat, and a five-year labor guarantee for all two-coat projects.

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    Our priority has always been to deliver quality work, services, and customer experiences. This has led us to become the largest painting contractor in the Davis/Woodland area.

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    Brooks Painting is a fully-licensed, bonded, and insured company. We also offer up to $1,000,000.00 in liability for your protection.

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