If you are thinking about hiring someone to do any type of home improvement work, it pays to know your rights before handing over any fees.

This column will talk about some of the ways consumers can protect themselves to avoid problems with home repairs. But before we get to that, a warning about individuals who go door to door this time of year offering to make repairs to your home or property.

I’m talking about people who drive around neighborhoods, perhaps offering you a deal to fix your driveway with asphalt or paving material they claim is left over from a job they just finished. Or they may knock on your door to say they noticed a problem with your chimney or foundation and offer to fix it. This type of offer should raise suspicion. The adage “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is” is apt, so what sounds like a “great deal” could end up costing you in the long run.

Over the years, our Consumer Protection Unit has received consumer complaints about shoddy or incomplete work stemming from such deals — driveways coated with a thin layer of asphalt that didn’t cover the whole driveway. Consumers have also told us about workers who claim to have found new, more expensive problems or individuals threatening to stop work on the project if they weren’t paid more money even after both parties had already agreed on a price.

Our advice to you is slow down. Do not be rushed into any home repair job, especially for repairs that you hadn’t planned for. Remember that most reputable local businesses do not cruise around neighborhoods looking for work.

Here are some other red flags:

■They ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash.

■They only accept checks made out to an individual, not a business.

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■They don’t provide proof of a home improvement contractor’s license or proof of insurance.

■They demand full payment for the job up front.

■They refuse to sign a contract or put anything in writing.

If you receive such a visit from a door-to-door business operation, decline their offer and report them to police.

Now, on to the main point of this column: what to think about when hiring someone to work on your home. Taking these steps can help you avoid some of the situations we’ve encountered from unhappy consumers.

Last year, for example, we assisted a consumer who had paid a contractor a deposit for a project. The contractor told them the deposit would allow him to schedule the work, and he promised to provide a contract and a start date within a few weeks.

Several weeks passed and the consumer still had no start date and no contract. When they reached out to the contractor, the project continued to be delayed and then the contractor stopped communicating. The consumer filed a complaint and our office was able to get in touch with the contractor and help them get their deposit back so that they could hire someone else to do the work.

What follows are some strategies to avoid the stress and delays the consumer above experienced.

No matter the size of the project, do your homework. First, decide on a budget and the scope of your project — what work do you want done and how much can you afford. Many projects require the services of a licensed home improvement contractor. If you are uncertain whether your project does, call your community’s building inspector or the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) consumer hotline at 888-283-3757.

Get estimates from at least two or three contractors. To find contractors, ask friends or neighbors for recommendations. Read reviews online from several different sources, not just reviews on the business’ own website. Check the contractor’s license with the Home Improvement Contractor Program at contractorhub.mass.gov/s/, or by calling their consumer hotline at 888-283-3757.

You can also find out if they have a complaint history with the OCABR on that website. Consumers can also check if there have been any complaints filed against the business with the Attorney General’s Office.

Once you’ve spoken with the contractor about your project, you should ask for a written estimate containing detailed information about the work that will be done, the materials that will be used, labor costs, the timeline and the total cost. Compare the estimates you receive to choose a contractor for the job.

When you’ve chosen the contractor, both parties should review and sign a contract before the work begins or any payments change hands. Under the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Law, contracts for more than $1,000 must be in writing, but it is a good idea to get a written contract for any job. The contract must contain specific terms and information, including the following:

■The names and addresses of the two parties, the contractor’s registration number, the name of any salesperson involved and the date of the contract.

■The expected start and completion date.

■A detailed description of the work and materials, and the total price of the project.

■The payment schedule and the amount of each payment.

■Signatures of both parties.

■A three-day cancellation notice.

■All warranties.

■A notice in bold print stating: “Do not sign the contract if there are any blank spaces.”

■A clause informing the homeowner about construction-related permits.

■A sentence explaining that no work can begin prior to the signing of the contract and the homeowner receiving a copy of it.

■Information about contractor arbitration, a homeowner’s rights, execution of the contract, accelerated payments, how to learn about the home improvement law, how to check a contractor’s registration and how to resolve disputes.

You can find a copy of a sample contract and more information included in a homeowner’s guide to hiring a home improvement contractor at mass.gov/info-details/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-a-home-improvement-contractor.

When it comes to timing of payments for services, there are some regulations you should consider. Under the Home Improvement Contractor Law, contractors cannot collect more than one-third of the cost of the contract in advance, unless special order materials are needed. Those costs must be spelled out separately in the contract. The contractor should also apply for the required construction permits with the city or town.

If, during the project, you decide to make any changes to the project or materials, first talk it over with the contractor. Make sure any changes and additional costs are put in writing and the change order is signed by both parties.

Finally, even if you have done all your homework and signed a detailed contract, disputes can arise. First, try to work with the contractor to resolve the situation. If you can’t work it out on your own, try one of these options:

■File a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office for free consumer assistance.

■Apply for the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration Program through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

■Consider legal options such as small claims court or consulting an attorney.

If you would like additional information about how to get started with a home improvement project, call the Greenfield office at 413-774-3186 or the Northampton office at 413-586-9225, or check the consumer protection page at northwesternda.org.

Anita Wilson is the director of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit, which is a Local Consumer Program working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.