Each year at this time, AG Nixon puts out a consumer alert reminding everyone to watch out for fraud when hiring home repair contractors. Spring is the time a lot consumers start thinking about work to be done on their homes.

One of our pieces of advice is to get all terms in writing. But what if you deal with a smaller operator who prefers to work on a "handshake basis?" Not advised. If your contractor doesn't have a contract, you can create your own.

Our Consumer Corner Web site offers a worksheet (PDF) you can use to draw up an agreement and have it signed. In it, you'll find the elements that should go in any contract. And don't worry about making it overly formal - anything in writing signed by both parties is better than nothing.