Spring is Here, and So Are Phony Home Repair Contractors
Early spring is a time many homeowners get a jump start on home repair and improvement projects, readying the lawns and gardens, checking for any winter storm damage, and making sure they are prepared for the coming rains. Early spring is also a time when phony home repair contractors and scammers descend on neighborhoods in droves. Negligent or incompetent workers may perform subpar work, but phony contractors likely won’t perform any work at all! They’ll take your money and only pretend to work, leave a job half-finished, or never even start a project before they disappear, never to be heard from again. Here are some tips on how to spot fake contractors and home repair scams, when you should be on your guard, and what you can do to protect yourself from getting scammed.
Signs the Contractor Is a Scammer
They say they are working in the area and noticed problems with your house
Contractors may say they were working on a roof nearby and spotted missing or warped shingles or other problems with your own roof. Or they may say they just finished a job in the neighborhood and have extra materials left over, so they can do a job for you with those leftover materials at a discount. These sales pitches sound fairly reasonable, which is why they are used so often. If the contractor truly just finished a job in your neighborhood, you should be able to inspect that work and talk to that homeowner. If the contractor is trying to scam you, rather than give you that reference, they will insist they are in a hurry and just trying to help you out by doing a quick job before they leave for the day. You should never have to feel pressured about taking an offer on the spot, especially if you didn’t even know you had a problem before the contractor happened to notice it.
They stop by unsolicited to offer a free inspection.
You might think, what harm could come from getting a free inspection? The answer is, a lot. If the “inspector” is not legit, this person may go so far as to actually damage your home during the “inspection” and then show you this damage that needs repair. Another scam is for the inspector to walk you to the back of the house to show you something while a confederate comes in through your front door to steal items from your home.
They want money up front.
It’s not uncommon for legitimate contractors to request a portion of the payment up front to pay for materials or to ask for progress payments as phases of lengthy projects get completed. The difference is with a legitimate contractor, you’ve checked out the contractor beforehand and have a written contract you have legal recourse to. Be very wary of a contractor who asks for full payment beforehand, who asks for payment for labor up front, or who demands to be paid only in cash. If you are paying in cash, be sure to get a receipt.
The contractor is unlicensed.
Licensed contractors will have a permit number they can provide you with, and you can check to see that the license is current either online or by phoning the licensing agency. You may also be able to check whether the contractor has been disciplined for violating code provisions. Licensed contractors are also generally bonded, which means you are insured in case they fail to perform the required work. An unlicensed contractor is also less likely to have liability insurance or be covered by workers’ compensation. Worse than just taking your money without performing work, a scammer could have an accident (real or faked) while “working” on your premises, and you could wind up liable for their medical costs, pain and suffering, etc. A con artist in this situation may try to extort a cash settlement out of you. If the person actually does get injured while on your property with your consent, you could be liable even if they were going to try to scam you. This is another reason to think twice before letting some stranger climb up on your roof for a free inspection that could cost you far more than even a new roof would.
Hire Help When You Know You Need Work
It’s a good idea to check your roof before the rainy season starts, as well as after a severe storm. Replace broken or missing shingles as needed, and keep the gutters clean to prevent water damage. If you find you do need a new roof or other major home repairs, it’s better to be able to do them on your own timetable with professionals you trust. Being in an emergency situation puts you at the mercy of the contractors, honest and otherwise. Better to take the time to shop around, read online reviews and check references.
