The state found much more than a dirty dozen unscrupulous contractors in just three months, and many others will soon crawl out from under their rocks.
When the state this week issued a list of 40 home improvement contractors that had allegedly cheated customers in the last quarter of 2015, three things stood out:
-- Chasing scofflaw contractors is a lucrative way to fill state coffers. The Division of Consumer Affairs noted that it had collected $481,477 in penalties and restitution from enforcement actions during the period.
-- South Jersey is over-represented on the "bad guy" list. Nearly half the firms -- 17 of the 40 -- have addresses in Burlington County or south.
-- More of these sharks are circling the water, especially after two recent winter storms.
Despite stepped-up patrols by the state, it's up to property owners eager to fix ripped roofs, replace broken windows or repair flood damage to take measures to protect themselves before hiring anyone.
The DCA cheater list ranges from the unlicensed to those who can't seem to finish any one job. It would be charitable to say they all suffer from advanced ADHD. Any property owner looking for a contractor should know the drill by now: Get multiple estimates, don't give a large deposit before any work is done, check out the vendors on various websites.
But, if such advice were always followed, the home-improvement scam "investigative report" wouldn't be an ongoing staple of local TV news. And, the state wouldn't keep putting out lists of dozens of outlaw firms.
It's good news that exactly one month after the Jan. 22 blizzard struck, the federal Small Business Administration began offering low-interest loans to help businesses, renters and homeowners make repairs. Properties that qualify are in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.
While Gov. Chris Christie garnered criticism for keeping his focus on his now-busted presidential campaign after the storm, the governor did come through, belatedly, by requesting the federal disaster declaration on Feb. 11. For residential loans, claims must be filed by April 22. More information can be found on the SBA website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The loan money is also of great interest to contractors, both the responsible ones and those who lurk around looking for prey. This week's sustained rain and high-wind event created still more property owners needing restorative services, though they're not eligible for the SBA loans.
Whether it's a repair that dates back to Hurricane Sandy, a more recent weather disaster, or just a desire to add that nice deck before spring, honest home-improvement firms are awaiting your call. So, too, are the fly-by-nighters.
From your county's consumer affairs office, to the Better Business Bureau, to yelp.com, there are multiple resources to check business people. "Take the Money and Run" is the title of Woody Allen's first movie and of a Steve Miller Band song. Don't let it become the sad slogan for your next home improvement project as well.