Phae Howard is the executive director of the national center for the prevention of home improvement fraud. She says now more than ever, contractors are scamming homeowners left and right. 

"The days of just getting 3 references and checking with the BBB, those days are gone," she says. 

Howard says it is important to check a contractors name through trade organizations that enforce strict ethics codes. Some contractors are known for hounding and pushing homeowners into buying their sales pitch, just to scam them in the end. 

Howard advises that you should find your own contractor, and to look out for those soliciting you.

Mike McFall is the roofing superintendent for McFall Roofing and he's been extra busy lately with 32 roofing calls in just 2 days. 

Hurricane season keeps roofing companies like his active. While he takes pride in his companies honest work, that can't be said for all contractors.

Howard says contractors not only need to have a business license, but they must write up a proper contract that both they and the homeowner agree to.  She also advises that you take the contract to a lawyer to have it looked over before making bay major decisions. 

McFall says he personally knows of other contractors who push people into signing a contract but he sees things a bit differently. 

Both Howard and McFall agree that choosing a contractor shouldn't be stressful and if you take these precautions, you could save yourself from a long legal battle.