The legal troubles for 40 year old John Bartos started when a local man enlisted Bartos' construction company to replace seven windows in his condo.

He plopped down $2,000 for a down payment.
When he never heard another word from Bartos, he filed a complaint.
Now, the charges of theft by deception continue to pile up against Bartos.

"When you pick a contractor, it's a job interview," says Melissa Ames with the Youngstown Better Business Bureau. That's why she says one of the first things you should do is ask for references. It's one of several ways to make the most informed decision you can.

"Start out using bbb.org to find a trusted contractor," Ames said. "Look at their history, if there were any complaints, what they were about, and how those complaints were handled.

Ames says you want to base your research on contractors who have done the exact same job you're having done, right down to the fine details.

"Make sure they're using the same shingles; (ask) 'are they 15 year shingles, 30 year shingles?' That's going to determine the outcome of your price."

That price should be part of a thorough contract.
Ames says you want everything spelled out in detail so that you and the contractor are on the same page.
Ask things like whether they're using subcontractors and where they're sourcing the materials.

"It's really important to have a good understanding of what you want as an outcome. That way you can get several different estimates from several different contractors and you're able to compare apples to apples," says Ames.

In Ohio, you don't have to have a license to be a general contractor.
Some municipalities require permits, but make sure you know whether you or the contractor are the one who has to pull them.
As for Bartos - he's due in Mahoning County Court in Boardman on Thursday.
He's facing even more charges in Lawrence and Trumbull Counties.