Police: Be Careful When Hiring Contractors

It's an unfortuante story police hear too often: A contractor knocks on someone's door, offers a great price for seal-coating and disappears without finishing the job.

“We’ve already had one elderly gentlemen ripped off," Yorkville Deputy Police Chief Donald Schwartzkopf said.

In that case, the contractor performed some work, accepted a check and left without providing much contact information. When the resident realized the work was shoddy, the check had already been cashed and he didn't know how to get ahold of the worker.

Schwartzkopf wanted to caution Yorkville area residents against falling victim to shady business practices, especially in light of the economy. Residents are better off using an established local business or taking references from friends and neighbors.

Residents should be question contractors who knock on their door and offer to give them a good deal because they have a little extra seal-coat or are in the area completing other jobs.

“When someone’s just coming knocking on your door, look into it a bit more," Schwartzkopf said.

The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois offered similar warnings when it comes to hiring contractors after storms or flooding. The bureau's suggestions include not providing full payment until the work is done well and checking insurance and license information. For more ideas and resources, click here.