In my experience, there are reliable, worthy contractors, and there are others who are more like con artists with their own agendas. It’s often up to the consumer to weed out the bad from the good.

Maine homeowners, as well, are at the mercy of bad contractors. I’ve found the police or attorney general’s office cannot help. And mediation only has a 55 percent success rate, according to the AG’s office.

I also lack confidence in the Better Business Bureau, because they can be fooled.

Anyone who claims Maine is “the way life should be” either does their own home repairs or doesn’t own a home.

I think contractors should be licensed and their work inspected, just like plumbers and electricians. Maine’s senators and representatives need to address this long-standing, overdue problem.

There are no more home improvements in my future until better laws are established to protect the consumer.

Alice Keene, Auburn