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T rinit'y rE-xîplorers Hold Graduation Exercises The Trinity United Church Explorers Group held their graduation on Tuesday, May 9. The eight girls wh o will be advancing to CGIT are (back row) Janet Preston, Corinne Wells, Carolyn Elston, Jackie Kemp, (front row) Jina Guthrie, Suzanne Land, Jane Hicks and Lisa Sweetman. The leaders of the group are Mrs. M. Grey and Mrs. N. Peters. The young girls, who meet every second Tuesday, participate in a varied program that involves such activities as games, outings, swimmrng, songs, worship, handicrafts and discussion. Consumers should beware of fly-by-night home improve- ment contractors at this time of year, the minister of consumer and commercial relations has warned. Larry Grossman said the consumer services offices receive many complaints about driveway pavers, pool installers, renovators, roofers and other home improvement businesses every spring. "Most of the people in this business are honest and competent," said Mr. Grossman, "but there are a few bad appleswho do poor jobs or don't finish what they start and disappear before the consumer can seek redress." "Numerous complaints concern contractors who had not completed the work as agreed to in the contract. In one instance a home renovator tore a kitchen apart and then disappeared wýith th e payment," he said. "However, consumers should be able to avoid these by following these guidelines. " Have a firmi idea of what Sou want d'one before work egins. Changing your mînd haîf way through the job can be very costly. Deal /withý businesses which have earned good reputations in the community. Make sure any construction conforms to local by-laws. If required, get a building permit. This is not the contractor's responsibiiity. Get at least three written estimates providing a detailed list of ail work to be done, including dean-up. Ask the contractor for the names and addresses of people for whom he lias recently completed work and check to see if these people are satisfied. Don't pay more than 10 per cent down as a deposit and don't pay in full until ail work is completed. Get warranty details in writing. ,Remember -a warranty is only as good as the company backing it. Get starting and completion dates in writing. You won't be happy if, for instance, your new swimming pool isn't completed until September. Under The Mechanics Lien Act you are required to withhold 15 per cent of the total'amount of the contract for 37 days after completion of the job. This protects you if the contractor fails to pay the .subcontractor or employees. If a contract is involved, make sure it cleariy specifies all work to be done as well as starting and completion dates. In addition to these general points, consumers should heed this advice when dealing with contractors 'in the following fields. Driveway Pavers Be wary of contractors who say they are in the neighbour- hood only for the day and offer bargain prices. Remember that the con- tractor giving the cheapest estimate won't necessarily do the best job. Remenfiber once you've signed a contract it's a legal and binding document. Make sure the contract specifies all work to be done before you sign. When the contractor quotes the asphaît depth, make sure he is referring to compacted asphaît. About two inches of compacted asphaît is normal. Remember that the contractor is flot responsible for damage to the driveway caused by gas spillage or sharp objects. He is also not responsible for weeds growing through the asphaît unless the contract stated weed killer wouid be used. Pool installers Obtain a written statement of who is responsible for any problems - the seller, installer, subcontractor or manufacturer. Make sure your pool, conforms to municipal by-laws, încluding fencîng. Make sure your estimates include ail costs for the pool and installation. Other costs including fepcing and water, which, in some municipalities, has to be trucked in at considerable expense. .Roofers Pay a reputable roofer for an inspection to determine whether you need a new roof or repairs. Remember that a long-termn warranty can be worthless if the company doesn't survive as long as the warranty applies. Make sure the estimate includes ail costs which may include stripping old shingles, dlean-up ana carpentry work. The network of consumer services offices -across Ontario handled approxi- mately 1,000 complaints about home improvements and reiated businesses in the past 12 months, said Mr. Grossman. Several con.- tractors were convicted under The Business Practices Act which prohibits false, mis- leading or deceptive dlaims. Several contractors were also convicted under The Consumer Protection Act because they failed to register as itinerant (door-to-door) sellers. "Each spring we also receive many complaints about garden products that consumers buy through the mail. We recently ordered a company to stop promising 100-pound watermelons and other marvels", he said. "Think twice about the wonderful pictures in the advertisements. Many of these plants will flot grow that well in our climate." The ministry offers many, services to assist consumers. In addition to handling complaints at the consumer services offices, free material on home repairs, insulation, consumer protection, mail- order, phony charities and many related areas is available. Consumer Services Bureaus 143 Main St. E. Rm. 206, Hamilton, Ontario, 80 Dundas St. W. P.O. Box 5600, London, Ontario, 1673 Carling Ave., Ste. 102, Ottawa, Ontario, 139 George St. N. Peterborough, Ontario, 444 Queen ýSt. _E., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, 331 Regent St. S., Sudbury, Ontario, 435 James St. S. Box 5000, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 555 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario, 880 Ouelette Ave., Rm. 906, Windsor, Ontario. Or contact Consumer Informa- tion- centre, MLvinstry of Con- sumer and Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H6. .Newcastle Man Heads OACETTî Bill Montgomery of Newcastle, was recently elected President of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technol- ogîsts which lias a member- ship of over 8,000 individuals. Mr. Montgomery assumed office on Saturday, May 13 at the Association's Annual meeting in Toronto. O.A.C.E.T.T. which represents engineering technicians and technologists i the province is currently, engaged in submissions to the Professional Organizations committee of the Ministry of Attorney General to obtain rights to practice in law on behaif of its members. Mr. Montgomery is enijloyed by Durham College as Personnel Officer. THE SIGN 0F A MERCHANT WHO CARES ABOUT PEOPLE ... This emblem identifies the civîc-minded businessmen who sponsor 'efcovî4 qn, in the communlty. For information call Marg Bain Phone 623-2661 Spring Survival Guide MiNis Bros. Fuels Ltd. 24-Hour EX~lFu rnace Service ~installation Furnace Cleaning Hum idifi!ers and Air Cleaners Tel. 623-5051 - Bowmanville THE REGIONALMUNICI-PALITY 0F DURHAM losure of ry Lanfl The Dariington Waste Disposai Site wilI be closed Monday, 1978 05 22 due to the Victoria Day Holiday. Normal operations Wil1i continue Tuesday, 19780523,. W. A. Twelvetrees, 0. Eng., Commissioner of Works. 16