After an elderly Longview, TX couple was killed earlier this year by a man who had done yard work for them, local legislation has been passed which requires background checks for home repair workers (reference article).
This legislation has been a long time coming. Unfortunately, many East Texas homeowners have been victims of crimes committed by ex-cons working in the home repair business. Many business owners were not conducting background checks because of the associated costs, but have come to realize that the risk is just not worth it. John Simmons, the owner of This Old House Remodeling put it best when he stated, “The peace of mind of knowing that you’re not putting a convicted felon in someone’s home, I think it’s well worth it.”
