County of Monmouth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 28, 2009

Consumer Affairs offers tips for home repairs
A little bit of homework can save you money

FREEHOLD, NJ – Many county residents are preparing for winter by prepping their lawns and gardens and doing home repairs before Mother Nature drops the temperature to below freezing. If you need to hire a contractor, the Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs has some reminders to help you spend your hard-earned dollars wisely.

“Your furnace may not start up, you may have lost some roof shingles or maybe you need some trees taken down after a storm,” said Patricia Watson, director of the Department of Consumer Affairs. “If you hire a contractor for these or any other home repair task, before you have work done on your home you should do a little bit of homework.”

Home improvement contractors and landscapers must be registered with the State of New Jersey. You can check their registration status at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov or by calling the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs at 732-431-7900.

The department also maintains a “complaint history” on all reported businesses in Monmouth County, which can be helpful to consumers who are considering an agreement or transaction with a local business.

“If there is an active file, the information may be very valuable,” Watson said.

The department also offers some other things for consumers to consider before hiring someone to do work on or around their homes:

  • Find out if permits are required for the work to begin. Permit requirements often differ from town to town. The homeowner is ultimately responsible for obtaining permits.
  • New Jersey law does not dictate pricing. A business can charge whatever it wishes for a repair. Do your homework and get some estimates. You cannot get your money back if you agreed to the price.
  • Make sure your warranty is in writing. If it is not on paper, you don’t have a warranty.
  • Don’t feel pressured. Make sure the contractor is registered with the State of New Jersey.

Additional information about consumer affairs can be found on the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-431-7900. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Consumer Affairs department is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and unscrupulous business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and other regulations.

“The county’s Consumer Affairs office enforces consumer laws and helps people whether violations are present or not,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the department. “Each year the department mediates more than 1,000 complaints and recovers more than $500,000 for consumers. This is one of the many important ways the county is able to assist residents.”

Mediation includes letters, telephone calls, e-mails, faxes and informal conferences with businesses. If a business is uncooperative and does not appear as scheduled, the department has the authority to subpoena, a function coordinated with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s office.

“The Consumer Affairs staff is available to assist consumers who believe they may have been a victim of fraud or unfair business practices,” Watson said.

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