THE Crusaders have received an increasing number of complaints against contractors and handymen.
This week the Crusaders wrote about alleged dodgy deal-maker John Wittstock after receiving at least 20 complaints about the contractor, many of which could have been avoided if more East London residents had done their homework.
How can you find a reliable contractor, and lessen your chances of becoming a victim?
The Crusaders consulted a policeman from the commercial crime division, and the building industry’s regulatory body the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC), this week to answer this question.
These are some of the tips they suggest prospective clients take into consideration:
Before hiring any contractor or handyman, make sure he is legitimate and registered with a builders’ regulatory body.
The cheapest option is not always best – often, quality work comes with a more expensive price tag. Rather pay the price for an experienced and accountable contractor than for someone who may duck-and-dive with your hard-earned cash.
Inspect the contractors’ previous work before you come to any agreement with them - and don’t rely on what your friends or family members tell you. Go see the work for yourself. And don’t ask the contractor to direct you to clients he’s worked for in the past - he will send you in the direction of his best work.
Make sure the contractor signs a contract that you are happy to sign, and that you are always provided with a receipt for every payment made, as well as a receipt for every purchase the contractor makes on your behalf. No receipt, no payment.
Work out a system of “progress payment” with your contractor – pay in proportion to the projected work to be completed each week. Do not pay a contractor the full amount up front.
We recommend you do not pay a contractor for materials unless you have done some homework and got quotes of your own. If you are able, accompany the contractor when he collects the materials and pay for it yourself. Some contractors and suppliers may collude to inflate prices for materials, and con an unwitting client, said the commercial crimes division policeman.
Lastly, if problems do surface, send your contractor a complaint in writing within seven days. Thereafter, if the contractor fails to respond, contact the NHBRC at 0800200824. — Michelle Solomon
_______________________________
The Facilitators are the One Stop NHBRC Service Centre for all Developers, Contractors and Home Owners. For more information visit our website at:
www.the-facilitators.com
_______________________________
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Sunday, 04 July 2010
Zuma, Amaha hand over houses
Veteran kwaito musician and Amaha (African Musicians against HIV-Aids) chairperson Doc Shebeleza will consider the end of business tomorrow as the start of great achievements.
Shebeleza says tomorrow marks a milestone on the long road to build a great future for poor families, when President Jacob Zuma will hand over houses to families at Willers Farm in Ennerdale, south of Jozi.
The beneficiaries of the houses are Enoch Vilakazi, Busisiwe Mlotshwa, the Msimanga family and Xolisa Ngomane.
Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Jozi mayor Amos Masondo will also attend the ceremony.
Shebeleza says: “Tomorrow we are handing the houses to their owners and launching the project.
“Initially we wanted to build 50 houses in each province each year.
“Our target is to build 400 houses by 2013.”
Amaha has completed three three-bedroomed homes in Willers Farm and a two-bedroomed house in Snake Park in Dobsonville, Soweto.
“The houses were completed during the week and we also put furniture in them,” Shebeleza says.
He says they are proud as musicians that they are contributing to society.
“Every musician will look at this year with pride – that we are living up to expectations as role models.
“Instead of being in the public eye for all the wrong reasons, we can now claim our stake and be in the public eye for a good cause,” he says.
Although he says their plan is in place, he pleads with companies to join them in helping to build up needy communities.
“Apart from the sponsors we have, government departments came on board when we needed them,” Shebeleza says.
Other departments partnering Amaha are health , education , human settlements and arts and culture .
The project is run in partnership with Sunday World, the SABC, the NHBRC, Mabkol Project, Riaphela Construction, JR Sekwele and Associates and Mazotsho.
“We’ll also give the families groceries as part of the package ,” Shebeleza says.
Amaha will spend R6m on houses for the poor, particularly in rural areas such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Norman Masungwini
Sunday World
_______________________________
The Facilitators are the One Stop NHBRC Service Centre for all Developers, Contractors and Home Owners. For more information visit our website at:
www.the-facilitators.com
_______________________________
Shebeleza says tomorrow marks a milestone on the long road to build a great future for poor families, when President Jacob Zuma will hand over houses to families at Willers Farm in Ennerdale, south of Jozi.
The beneficiaries of the houses are Enoch Vilakazi, Busisiwe Mlotshwa, the Msimanga family and Xolisa Ngomane.
Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Jozi mayor Amos Masondo will also attend the ceremony.
Shebeleza says: “Tomorrow we are handing the houses to their owners and launching the project.
“Initially we wanted to build 50 houses in each province each year.
“Our target is to build 400 houses by 2013.”
Amaha has completed three three-bedroomed homes in Willers Farm and a two-bedroomed house in Snake Park in Dobsonville, Soweto.
“The houses were completed during the week and we also put furniture in them,” Shebeleza says.
He says they are proud as musicians that they are contributing to society.
“Every musician will look at this year with pride – that we are living up to expectations as role models.
“Instead of being in the public eye for all the wrong reasons, we can now claim our stake and be in the public eye for a good cause,” he says.
Although he says their plan is in place, he pleads with companies to join them in helping to build up needy communities.
“Apart from the sponsors we have, government departments came on board when we needed them,” Shebeleza says.
Other departments partnering Amaha are health , education , human settlements and arts and culture .
The project is run in partnership with Sunday World, the SABC, the NHBRC, Mabkol Project, Riaphela Construction, JR Sekwele and Associates and Mazotsho.
“We’ll also give the families groceries as part of the package ,” Shebeleza says.
Amaha will spend R6m on houses for the poor, particularly in rural areas such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Norman Masungwini
Sunday World
_______________________________
The Facilitators are the One Stop NHBRC Service Centre for all Developers, Contractors and Home Owners. For more information visit our website at:
www.the-facilitators.com
_______________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)