Consumers spend millions each year on home improvement projects. A study released earlier this year by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University found that annual spending on home improvements is projected to increase more than 8 percent by the end of 2016. These projects can be a boost to the overall economy, and particularly to those men and women in construction, painting, plumbing, and other related trades. In many cases home improvement projects also increase the resale value of a home. However, far too often, unsuspecting homeowners are cheated by unscrupulous home improvement contractors, leaving them with unfinished or poorly done work and seemingly no recourse.
Home improvement contracting: Nail everything down before you start
