The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about doing business with a Quincy contractor.

In a press release, the BBB advises consumers to use caution when doing business with Quincy Siding and Window.

BBB officials say they have received complaints that the company failed to start projects, did not provide refunds, did not communicate with customers and provided poor customer service.

According to the BBB press release:

"A Keokuk, Iowa, man told BBB he paid Quincy Siding and Window a down payment of just over $30,000 in October 2020 after hiring the company to replace the windows and siding at his residence. The company was to take measurements at the property before the project’s April 2021 start date.

The man said the company never returned after that. He had a hard time reaching anyone with the company. The company eventually responded after receiving a certified letter in April 2021. The man said he had a meeting with one of the owners of the business, Jacob Brown.

“He tried to talk us into letting them do the job and offered a discount,” the man told BBB. “We said we were not interested and asked for our money back. He said he had to talk to his board.”

The man offered to come to Quincy to pick up the refund check in May 2021. He has not received a refund.

A Quincy man told BBB he entered into a contract with Quincy Siding and Window in September 2020 to install five windows at his residence. He said he gave the company a down payment of $1,600 for the project.

The man said he was told work would start in January 2021. Expecting to hear from the business in January, the man said he was unable to reach the business to see when the project would start. The company eventually gave the man a start date of April 15, 2021, but he said the company did not show up on the promised date.

A Quincy woman told BBB she paid Quincy Siding and Window $1,486 on July 1, 2020, after signing a contract to have the company replace siding on the rear of her residence. The down payment was half of the project’s estimated cost.

She said she only heard from the business once after making the initial payment. She said she has made numerous attempts to reach the business with no success. She is hoping to receive a refund of her down payment so that she can hire another company to do the work."

The Better Business Bureau has given Quincy Siding and Window its lowest rating of “F,” based on numerous unanswered customer complaints and negative customer reviews.

BBB offers these tips on hiring a contractor:

Research any business and its owners carefully before paying any money. Check the company’s BBB Business Profile at BBB.org

Ask for references and contact them.

Before paying, make sure you have a signed contract outlining what work is to be done, a timetable for completion, and an explanation of what happens if the business or consumer reneges on the agreement.

Ask the contractor for proof that he or she is bonded and insured.

Pay by credit card whenever possible in case you need to challenge the payment.

Do not pay everything in advance. It is a good rule to pay a portion when you sign the contract and the final payment only after you are satisfied with the work.

When work is completed and the contractor has been paid, request lien waivers showing subcontractors, and material suppliers have been paid for the job.

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