As the summer season approaches, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs have introduced a new initiative aimed at safeguarding New Jersey residents from potential fraud by home improvement contractors. The campaign, titled "Nail It!", seeks to educate consumers on how to avoid common pitfalls when hiring contractors for home repair, remodeling, or renovation projects.
Complaints about home improvement contractors frequently appear on the Division's annual list of consumer grievances. Issues such as poor workmanship, missed deadlines, and incomplete projects after payment are prevalent. In the previous year, the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection issued 103 final orders resulting in $2.6 million in civil penalties and restitution against contractors who violated consumer protection laws.
The Nail It! campaign employs a three-pronged strategy consisting of social media messaging, educational handouts, and an online information hub. These resources aim to guide consumers through the contractor hiring process and help them make informed decisions to ensure satisfactory project completion. Funding for this initiative was provided by a grant from the Sears Consumer Protection and Education Fund.
"New Jersey is committed to protecting consumers from fraud and deception in the marketplace and holding violators accountable," stated Attorney General Platkin. "The Nail It! campaign advances our mission by educating and empowering homeowners to become their own best protectors against home improvement fraud."
Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of proper execution in home improvement projects due to their significant cost and potential disruption: "Our Nail It! campaign provides consumers with valuable information that can help their projects run more smoothly and help them avoid the risk of falling victim to home improvement scams."
The educational components of the campaign include:
- A social media campaign featuring infographics with tips for hiring contractors will reach over 3 million New Jersey viewers on Facebook and Instagram over eight weeks.
- An informational brochure available both online and at local offices provides a step-by-step guide for managing home improvement projects.
- An informational webpage at njconsumeraffairs.gov/nailit/ offers downloadable materials, lists red flags for scams, and includes additional tips for hiring contractors.
New Jersey residents are encouraged to review these materials before beginning any home repair or renovation projects to prevent costly issues.
