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Wild Goose Chase

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Home Tips for Women

wild geese chasing child on a bikeWhile researching & writing my annual summary of Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value report, I foolishing clicked on a Google ad for FREE Remodeling prices. OK you're saying, I should have known better but in the context of the page and the info I was looking for, it made sense and I almost glossed over the "ad" warning as the ad was in the main column, not top/right on page.

I was angry enough to write an article about Finding a Building Contractor (could be Realtor) and Avoiding the Wild Goose Chase

Now I'm having second thoughtsas I specifically drive the point that many of these link games land you at Service Magic, as they work to dominate the entire page 1 of search results.

Would love your input as to what I could have done, i.e. what advice would you suggest I give to homeowners researching home projects and trying to find good home professionals?

2010 cost value research and oops, a google ad

My problem as you would guess, is that I started down the slippery slope and of course, NEVER got the promised FREE (nothing is free really) remodeling prices.

 

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TERI LINDSAY
Reno, NV
STAGELIGHT HOME STAGING CO.

Start with your State Board of Licensed Contractors. You will be able to verify whether the Contractor is current with State License, how many years of a active license or if he/she is on "probation" for violations or if there are complaints. Or go to the State Better Business Bureau.  As a former Gen. Contractor of 35 years at Lake Tahoe, I was always a member of the BBB. And my standing with the State Board of Licensed Contractors was accessible to the public.

Jan 04, 2011 04:40 PM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Thanks to Teri for your answer,  I, like Tina, know better than to enter into the cyber wild goose chase BUT at the same time would not be sure where to begin.  My first thought would have been the phone book.  I never would have thought about contacting the State Board.  Good Resource!

Jan 05, 2011 01:59 PM