Avoiding Home Improvement Scams

The summer months mean sunshine and warm weather, but they also bring about scammers. Summer is the perfect time for those "contractors" to swing by with unsolicited offers to improve your home. Most times, if the offer seems too good to be true, it is. Pay attention to the signs so that you don't become the victim of these scammers.

Free inspections.

Anyone offering something for free is not really offering anything for free. Chances are, an 'inspector' will look at your seemingly decent home and find a ton of things wrong with it that, coincidentally, he can fix. How convenient. This could end up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. Make sure to check credentials and get a second opinion before signing up for or paying for anything.

Payment up-front.
Most contractors will not ask for a large sum of money before the job is complete. They may ask for a small deposit, or the work will be separated into stages and paid for as each stage is complete. A company that asks for a large deposit or full payment up-front is shady and they'll probably take the money and run, leaving you with an unfinished project.

Bait-and-switch.

Some contractors will advertise their services for a really low price that doesn't even seem possible. Well, it isn't. When they finally come to do the work, your situation will be a 'special case' and your roof, air ducts, carpet, etc.  are in much worse condition than average. They'll proceed to charge you way more than originally quoted, but they won't actually need to do any extra work.

Leftover materials.

Sometimes contractors will have leftover materials such as driveway sealant or roof tiles from a project in your neighbourhood. And sometimes this is legitimate, particularly if you have seen them around and working. But other times, contractors will say they have leftovers and ask if they can use them to do work on your house for a cheaper price. The reality is, that they never had leftover materials. They have substandard materials or the wrong materials for the job. In the case of driveway sealers, scammers often just use black paint to make it look like they've done something. An honest contractor would never try to sell you leftover materials at a discounted price. 

What you can do.

Like hiring a moving company, it is important to do research before selecting a contractor. Check for their license numbers and credentials to make sure they are legitimate before giving them any money. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any customer complaints and read reviews on their company's website. The best way to find the contractor that is right for you is word-of mouth. Ask around to see who has a good reputation. It's the easiest way to prevent a rip-off.