The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

12 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wed. April 28, 1982 Select carefully when choosing a roofer It's a familiar scenario to the Ontario - Ininistry: the unsuspecting homeowner agrees to a "free roof inspection" and finds, much to his surprise, that extensive work is needed -- immediately. The co- operative salesman offers to do the work, and of course, just happens to have a con- tract ready for signing. This is just one of the home renovating gambits that surface every spring in Ontario; and through a simple lack of information, hundreds of consumers fall prey to the often convincing sales pitches of unscrupulous home repair companies. Roof inspections are not the only renovation game in town. Home repair soliciting covers a wide group of services such as paving, siding installation, roof and gutter repair, insulation and general repair work. Con- sumers may, for instance, be offered a free furnace or chimney inspection and told their chimneys need cleaning or their furnaces require extensive repair work. Another popular technique is to offer a "good deal just because we happen to be in consumer the neighbourhood with all our materials and e uip- ment." Consumers shouldn't fall for this pressure el without first asking the salesman for names of neighbours who are having work done. Call and ask for their opinion of the company. To avoid problems with home repair contractors, consumers should get at least three estimates outlin- ing the kind of work to be done, who will do it, how much it will cost, what kind of warranty or guarantee is offered, and the starting and completion dates. Consumers should also ensure all the subtrades are covered in the agreement, so they don't get stuck with a hefty bill from an electrician or plumber. They should also avoid progression clauses which require the homeowner to pay installments while work 1s in progress, whether they are satisfied with the work or not. Consumers shouldn't pay more than 10 per cent deposit before work begins, to ensure they have some leverage if they are dissatis- fied with the work. It may also be necessary to obtain a building permit from the local municipality. It has the right to tear down any new structure or order work stopped if the proper documents have not been processed. Obtaining the permit is the homeowner's responsibility, unless the contractor has agreed to do it under the terms of the contract. The Consumer Protection Act requires all home repair contractors to register with the ministry. To check a home repair constractor's registration, contact the nearest Consumer Services Bureau. RRR HC AR Ey PA As well, the Mechanics Lien Act permits home- owners to hold back 15 per cent of each progress pay- ment until 37 days after the work is completed. This protects the homeowner from liability if the con- tractor or sub-contractor fails to pay the supplier for materials. For. more information about renovations, paving and siding, write to the Con- sumer Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Con- sumer and Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. M7A 2H6, and ask for their free pamphlets. And same goes for siding If you're thinking about installing siding this spring, don't be misled by a sales- man's claim that it will greatly reduce your heating costs next winter. While siding with an in- sulation backing can help, it doesn't provide the same benefits as insulation. These and other mis- leading claims have made it increasingly important for consumers to shop around before signing contracts to have siding work done. Con- sumers should get at least three estimates, with detailed price breakdowns of all the work involved, in- cluding the cost of siding and Made from the finest quality wire $ 25 drawn to exact specifications. 100 per box. 10 BOXES Sugg Retad $4 44/10 boxes Writing Pads Note size, 100 sheet, wove paper. Sug Retail $141 ea TT we $j > Sugg Reta! $217 ea i NOTE 5 Size 19¢ --- 2 [4 | >, White Wove Envelopes Quality envelpgs i in 2 popular business sizes Avery Labels Colour coding labels helps control files, production schedules, pricing records, etc. ues Rectangular available $949 = Round labels available in red, green, light blue, yellow, orange, purple, black, (tw) 1Wbx red glo.pink, brown, green glo & yellow glo. red glo, green glo & yellow glo. Colour Code in light blue, - Sugg Reta: $3 70 box 1" x3" 150/bx. - 96 sheels per pad. 3x5 $ 15 PER 10 Sugg Retad $3 50/10 4x6 $ 65 Sugg Reta $530/10 Sugg Retad $8 50/10 50 $980 Sugg Retat S486 box 100's =8 Boxed ~ "3908 Sugg Reta! $349 vox 8x1 ge Sugg Retad $1810/10 Hitoy Scratch Pads Quality white 16 Ib bond pads, in these popu'ar sizes PER 10 5x8 4% I; PER 10 PER 10, Lo or This offer expires on Apnl 30, 1982. Prices may vary due to local business actic All items shown may not be available in all stores at ail times o es PORT PERRY STAR co. LIMITED 235 QUEEN STREET, P.0.80X 90. PORT PERRY, ONTARIO. LOB INO (416) 985-7383 installation, after sales service, and. installation of eavestroughing and other work that might be required. As the contractor for names of recent customers; call them and ask if they were satisfied with the work. Also check the company's reputation with the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau. Siding manufacturers usually guarantee their products against faulty workmanship. But this doesn't cover damage or mistakes in installation. Read the small print care- fully: some guarantee periods are pro-rated, which means the amount the manu- facturer will pay for replace- ment decreases every year. Most warranties are trans- * ferrable to a new owner if the company is notified in writing within 90 days. Consumers should not pay more than a 10 per cent deposit before work begins, to ensure they have some leverage if they are not satisfied with the work. It's equally important for consumers to know their rights. If they feel a contrac- tor has made a false, mis- leading or deceptive claim, they can, under Ontario's Business Practices Act, write a letter to the company asking them to rescind the contract. This has to be done within six months of signing. If this fails to bring satis- faction, a consumer can take the company to court, and try to prove the -company contravened the guidelines of the Act. There is also a 48 hour cooling-off period. Con- sumers can cancel a con- tract made with a door-to- door salesman in the home or away from the seller's normal place of business within two working days of receiving a copy of the contract. To cancel, they must simply send a regis- tered letter to the company or deliver it in person to the address on the contract. A telephone call will not do. The Consumer Protection Act also requires all siding contractors to register with the ministry. To check a contractor's registration, contact the nearest Con- sumer Services Bureau. For more information about siding, write to the Consumer Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario. M7A 2HS, and ask for a free pamphlet called "Siding: How to Get Your Money's Worth." NEED PHOTO COPIES? We can do them for you. PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street 985-7383 Making Room for Our New Look ... "FLOOR SAMPLES* SOLID OAK: REG. 72" Rectangular Table & 4 Chairs Matching China Cabinet Matching Buffet Harvest Table & 6 Chairs . % OFF .. 25% . 25% hes 0 23% $1242..... 33% . SALE Plan to See our New Country Home Collection COMING SOON! SOLID PINE: Reo : 36" x 42" Drop Leaf Table Buffet & Hutch 60" Trestle Extension Table 42" Round Extension Table Wall Units... ... Unmatched Chairs $1475 $459 - $875... End & Coffee Tables, Blanket Boxes, etc Settlement House ..Inthe Heart of Port Perry SALE "$240. $800. % OFF _ $340- $600. 25 - 30% 20% OFF 183 Queen Street- 985-8234