DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to let No Name, Turner, who had a bad experience with a contractor, that we had the same situation with a roofing home improvement company.

We thought we were doing the right thing by going to small claims to retrieve our money back for the job not completed, but when you go this route not only do you have to pay to get the paperwork from the court, you need to pay to file and to have the person served. This can go on like this three times.

Then, if that person files bankruptcy, you lose all the money that you just spent to take him to court and the money he owed you to begin with. So you still lose, at least from the experience we had.

If you want more information, you can contact me. — Natalie Kyllonen, Mechanic Falls, bmbracing@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read the letter from the person who got scammed in Turner. I, too, was cheated.

I hired a man from Topsham to do some work for me. I paid him by check up front so that he could buy the materials. He never bought the materials. He did a couple of repair jobs, but they were done so poorly that they needed to be done over.

I took him to small claims court in Bath, because you have to go to the court in his county, even though the dispute was in my county.

I won my case but have not received any of my money back. The law is written in such a manner that if the crook says he has no money, he doesn’t have to pay you. They always put their cars and homes in family members’ names so they don’t have to pay you. This happened last year, and the judge said the defendant can’t afford to pay me because he says he’s not well and can’t work.

The lawyer from the legal aid for the elderly told me that just about no one ever gets their money back. I was heartsick over the whole ordeal. To think that I won my case, but I lost my money! The lady in Turner may call me if she wants, 353-6959. — No Name, Durham

ANSWER: Sun Spots is very sorry to hear about your sad experiences. With patience, you may get some money, but she agrees that it is a frustrating and unfair situation.

As for unethical contractors, Sun Spots addressed the issue with Sun Journal reporter Rebekah Metzler, who covers the state government. She said that the Attorney General’s Office says this is their top complaint. There was a proposal in the last Legislature to require certification for contractors, but it didn’t pass because the legislators decided to wait until the uniform building code takes effect to regulate builders.

At www.maine.gov, the following is posted: “With P.L. 2007 Resolve 46, the Legislature recognized that Maine needs more uniformity of building-related codes across the state. It directed the state to develop a building and building rehabilitation code implementation plan. … The Technical Building Codes and Standards Board located within the Department of Public Safety is responsible for adopting and administering the code. Once a code is adopted, the State Planning Office will administer a program of training and certification for local CEOs/building inspectors.”

Eventually this should result in a certification system for contractors and help weed out those who are unscrupulous or incompetent. Meanwhile, you can protect yourself when hiring someone:

1. Ask for references and call them. Ask exactly what kind of work was done and how well.

2. Check with your local code enforcement officer. They know local builders and the quality of their work.

3. Start a new contractor with a small job. If you are pleased, you can hire him for more work. If not, you haven’t lost as much money.

4. Get the supplies yourself. Ask the contractor for a list of what he needs, then visit the lumber yard. If the supplies won’t fit in your car, ask the yard if they will deliver. (They may charge a delivery fee if the order is a small one.)

5. Supervise the work. Sun Spots has used the same contractor for almost 15 years and has complete faith in his honesty. But it can be difficult to describe a task, and burly men wielding hammers aren’t always eager to ask follow-up questions. Sun Spots’ contractor sometimes tries to save her money when she would prefer to go the more expensive or conventional route!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.