Home Improvement Scams

Answer 1

While most homeowners want to maintain or improve a home’s market value, many do not possess the skills and patience to perform home improvements projects. Their only recourse is either ignoring the improvement projects or hiring a contractor to do the work.

Always investigate the contractor�s credentials and reputation before hiring. Five Most Common Scams Identifiers

While it’s possible a legitimate contractor may say or do the things below, odds are that the homeowner is being scammed:

1. In the Neighborhood : While it’s possiblethat a legitimate contract just happens to be passing by while traveling to or from another job and just happens to have the time to pull into a driveway or to the curb and approach a homeowner, odds are that the ’contractor’ who is generous and considerate of a fellow human being to volunteer contact isn’t a legitimate contractor at all. The ’contractor’ may have approached the house and homeowner in hopes of getting inside, not to inspect a repair job, but to scout for theft.
2. Extra Material: Because of price fluxes and inventory control, virtually no contractor orders a significant quantity beyond a current job. If one approaches and says that he or she has material left over from a prior job, the material may have been sub-standard, it was supposed to have been used but wasn’t, shorting the prior customer, or the contractor isn’t legitimate.
3. Cash Up Front: While some contractors do require a down-payment, those that insist on cash only in place of other valid forms of payment are probably scam artists. Contractors who avoid signing contracts are contractors to be avoided.
4. No Identification: If there is no logo on the truck or van or if the contractor just happens to have forgotten his or her wallet license, odds are that the person is there to scam the homeowner. Also, be aware of those logo panels that are removable. Legitimate contractors usually have the business information on the side of the truck or van. They must show the state-issued contractors license number.
5. Today Only: If someone knocks on a homeowner’s door and declares a special discount in a home repair if the homeowner agrees today but only today, odds are that the contractor won’t be found the day after.

Signs of Probably Legitimate Contractor

Among other things, a Bona fide contractor will probably:

1. Have the business name and contractor number on the side of the truck or van.
2. Provide a business card upon request or the contractor license information to a homeowner.
3. Not have time for door-to-door sales calls.
4. Be approached by the homeowner, not the other way around.

Summary

When home improvements are needed or wanted, and the homeowner chooses to hire a contractor, always investigate the contractor’s credentials and reputation before hiring. If nothing else, check with the Better Business Bureau and the state licensing agency for additional peace of mind.