By the nature of the repairs or cleanups that emergency cleaning service companies offer, this industry has not escaped con artists: individuals whose aim is to cheat homeowners out of their hard-earned money.
Since these types of services have to be delivered as soon as possible, some homeowners do not take time to do a background check or confirm the credibility of the company they contact. They are more overwhelmed with the task on hand, and forget to consider that they can possibly be scammed. So to help you choose a professional emergency cleaning service company, here are a few tips you can follow:
Request For a Contract
No matter how fast you need a task done, always request that a contract be drawn up. The contract should cover payment methods, services being availed, duration of the contract and a clause for liabilities. This clause is very important since any accidents that happen to the cleaning or repair crew will be your responsibility without it. Other than a liability clause, an insurance or bond coverage can also protect you from any liabilities.
Don’t Pay in Full
Never pay in full for any cleaning or repair contract. Make a reasonable down payment and pay in full after the services has been delivered and completed. Holding the balance will be your guarantee that the contract will be fulfilled.
In addition, paying in check is better than paying in cash. Because when you pay in check, the company will have to make an appearance at the bank to cash it, thereby leaving a paper trail or personality. A paper trail will be enough evidence just in case you need to file a scam report.
Be Present During the Cleanup
One of the scamming schemes that are more common is theft during the actual delivery of the service. So during the cleanup or repair, make sure that you are present to protect your belongings. It won’t also be a bad idea to request the company of a friend or family if you live alone.
Incidentally, being present during the repair or cleanup will allow you to observe if they are doing the job according to your standards. If not, you can immediately make it known so any corrections can be made. This way, you won’t need any back job requests which can sometimes take a long time.
So the next time you need an emergency cleaning service, take time to do a proper background check and request that everything be put on a contract. This way, you avoid scams and ensure that the service will be delivered according to your standards.
Richard Barthallo discusses important homeowner issues for Emergency Cleaning Service Washington and Emergency Cleaning Service Washington DC
Article Source: How To Avoid Emergency Cleaning Service Scams