Question: Are home-improvement companies still at the...

Question: Are home-improvement companies still at the top of the list of consumer complaints?

Answer: According to the Better Business Bureau, the most complaints, with almost 20% of the total, are about mail order product sales. This is followed by home improvement companies, which register almost 8.5% of the complaints.

However, this total is broken down to include roofers, remodeling, heating and plumbing contractors, and siding and other categories. Firms that do total home improvement, account for about 2% of the complaints, closely followed by roofing contractors.

Franchise auto dealers, are the target of 7% of the total complaints. Others, ranging between 1.5% and 2.5% each, are home furnishing stores, auto repair shops, direct selling companies, department stores, dry-cleaners and television service firms.

Q: We are thinking of restoring an old brick wall that has layers of peeling paint. Is there an easy way to do this and what type of chemicals would you suggest?

A: Unless the paint has deteriorated to such a point where scraping and wire brushing will restore it to a respectable condition, I would suggest that you hire a professional.

You should make sure however, that the brick wall is in good condition and you might also write to the American Building Restoration Chemicals Inc., 9720 South 60th St., Industrial Park, Franklin, Wis. 93132, regarding the correct method of using chemicals to remove old paint.