
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 17, 1993                   TAG: 9307170001
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LON WAGNER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Investigators familiar with con artists say there are a few things consumers can do to make sure the person they are hiring to do contracting work is legitimate. Their advice is:

Ask the person's name, and ask to see a contractor's license. Any home-improvement work or bid valued at more than $1,500 in Virginia requires a state-issued contractor's license.

Be wary if the contractor asks to be paid in cash.

Insist on a signed contract that states the terms and conditions of the work and includes a specific price.

When in doubt, call law-enforcement officers to come to your home to check out the contractor.

Henry County Investigator K.G. Nester said an old saying still applies: "If it's almost too good to be true, it usually is."

by CNB