SOUTHERN SHORES MANAGEMENT INC.

SOUTHERN SHORES MANAGEMENT INC.
6801 Lake Worth Rd
Suite 111
Greenacres, FL 33467
ph: 561-460-2619
fax: 1-888-582-3876
SOUTHERNSHORESINC@COMCAST.NET

NEWS AND EVENTS

NEVER TO LATE TO TRY THESE TRICKS..
Now is a great time to take a look at your home and start making positive changes. Many homeowners have already begun making the repairs to their homes that the ARB Board recommended. The news is full of statistics showing home prices still slipping. If you want to make sure your house value stays high, there are things you can do:
- Dirty Roofs can be cleaned with a solution of a mixture of 4 gallons of water , 1 gallon bleach and 1 cup of TSP ( Tri Sodium Phosphate) available at Home Depot or Lowes
.
- Pressure washing driveways, walkways and house exteriors makes a big difference with minimal effort.
- Take advantage of the rainy season! Plant some trees and shrubs .Landscaping and mulch also keep the look of the neighborhood clean. Remember to always get ARB approval before beginning any work.
FOR MORE TRAPS AND TIPS CLICK HERE
Consumer Traps & Tips #9 - Driveway Repairs
A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Trap
Mr. T. from Boynton Beach was tired of looking at his faded blacktop driveway. He remembered the flyer left at his front door, “Driveway Repairs…FREE estimates.” He called and spoke with a nice guy who said he could come right over. He said he had some materials left over and could do the job today for a special cash price. Sensing a good deal, Mr. T. agreed and paid for the services. A half hour later, the job was done. However, after the first rain, the driveway’s shiny black finish was gone. Mr. T. called the business and heard a recording saying, “The cellular number you have dialed is no longer in service.” Mr. T. had no way to get in touch with the “nice guy.”
Tips
Mr. T. was looking to get the job done quickly and cheaply. He could have saved himself time and money by:
- being wary of anyone soliciting home repair work by distributing flyers
- always getting at least two written estimates and verifying that the business has an active city/county business tax receipt
- making sure the contract explains the terms completely and shows the name of the business and street address
- never paying cash or a large upfront fee to “get more materials” because you may never see the salesperson again
- asking for proof of worker’s compensation insurance because you may be responsible if someone gets hurt on your property.
If someone comes to your door unsolicited and uses high pressure sales tactics, decline the services, close the door and call the Sheriff or your local police department. If you need more information, call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer to see if other consumers have filed complaints against the company you are considering.

FLORIDA NEWS

SOME HELPFUL TIPS

So you need to hire a contractor… Healthy doses of planning and precautions almost always beat predators.

Take these precautions when hiring a contractor:

Unless you are actually going to do the work DON’T pull your own (building) permit.
Get references from friends.
Check with non-profit trade associations (who use an ethics code).
Get at least 3 written bids.
Verify license (County or State). Note: Don’t get confused with an “Occupational License” which is only a tax and NOT a permit to operate. (As of January 2007, it is now called a “Local Business Tax” not an “Occupational License”).
-PBC County Contractor’s Certification: www.pbcgov.com/pzb/Contractors/
-Florida Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation: www.myfloridalicense.com
Verify insurance (especially Worker’s Comp – ask for proof of actual insurance documents). You can check a company’s Worker’s Compensation coverage by going to the Florida Department of Financial Services website at: www.fldfs.com/wcapps/compliance_POC/wPages/query.asp
Check with the Consumer Affairs Division and the Better Business Bureau.
READ, understand contract (Remember contracts are primarily written to protect the contractor – not the customer).
Pay required deposits by credit card (or check).
Never pay cash (or make a check out to “cash”).
Insist on performance clause(s):
-Under what circumstances will deposit be refunded?
-What happens if company fails to perform in specified period of time?
Request a “waiver of lien” from the contractor BEFORE making your final payment. The waiver is a guarantee that the contractor has paid everyone and has no outstanding debt. This should prevent a supplier or sub-contractor from placing a lien against your property.

Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
50 South Military Trail, Suite 201
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
561-712-6600, Boca/Delray/Glades call toll free: 1-888-852-7362
www.pbcgov.com/consumer

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Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey and local law enforcement partners today unveiled a new and innovative feature on Florida’s Sexual Offender/Predator Registry Web site. Citizens can now sign up to receive e-mail alert notifications when a registered sexual offender or predator moves into their neighborhood or within a radius of any other designated location. Citizens can also opt to track address changes reported by selected registered offenders or predators. The service is offered statewide and at no charge. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/press_releases/20080327_Alert_system.html

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SOUTHERN SHORES MANAGEMENT INC.
6801 Lake Worth Rd
Suite 111
Greenacres, FL 33467
ph: 561-460-2619
fax: 1-888-582-3876
SOUTHERNSHORESINC@COMCAST.NET

NEWS AND EVENTS

NEVER TO LATE TO TRY THESE TRICKS..

FOR MORE TRAPS AND TIPS CLICK HERE

Consumer Traps & Tips #9 - Driveway Repairs

FLORIDA NEWS