Remodeler, bewar

Sometime in April I got a call from a construction company inquiring if I planned any construction or repair work soon. A very pleasant voice, kind of motherly, so I was inclined to hear her out: 20 percent discount if I contracted now; workers all legal, bonded and insured; will completely conform with regulations of homeowners association; take their own accumulated trash away.

Beware: telephone or even personal verbal promises are not binding. If you try to hold the final payment until promises are fulfilled, a manager will come to pick it up, sweet talking, but really only interested in getting his hand on the final check.

As to the work, the men were most pleasant. No loud arguments or music and about as careful with my things as can be. However, when they were told that they could not wash anything into the street on account that it would flow into the lake, they did not ask me where to empty the buckets, but emptied them onto the lawn and plants. The nails in the walls where my pictures hung were pulled out, so now I had to wait for son and nephew to find time when they could be available for re-hanging.

Advice: inspect work daily to notice what is disturbing, as it is almost impossible to see any faults when the foreman says, "all fini, please inspect" with paper in hand to sign off your satisfaction.

The sales manager had overestimated material and time needed but that did not reduce the final charge.

Remember, get all promises and agreements in writing. Irmgard Wood Westlake Village