11 trusted tips to avoid a home improvement scam

While not something most people think about in terms of scams, professional home improvement scammers are constantly on the search for victims. They often target people who live in areas recently damaged by weather events and older adults, offering “deals” on home repairs. Scams include using low-quality roofing materials, painting houses with cheap paint, and not doing quality work in the promised time frame. Follow these simple tips to avoid a major headache and being left with an ill-repaired home.

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Before you pick a company for your home improvement project do lots of research. A lot of online review sites have been created in the last couple of years that make finding a reputable company much easier. Researching previous customer opinions will provide potential customers a better idea of what to expect.

Demand a written contract that lists the specific work to be done, costs, materials to be used, start and completion dates, and warranty information on products and installation. Read the fine print carefully and do not permit work before signing it.

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Make sure you establish a strong connection with your contractor before any work starts. They should know what your expectations are for the project and that those expectations should be outlined in your contract. If the service isn’t living up to expectations from the established agreement, it’s vital to speak about it with the provider. If the company isn’t responding, isn’t open to regular communication or is taking a long time to respond, it may be time to research and hire a new service provider.

Be extremely cautious of door-to-door salespeople offering to give you the best deal on a home repair project. Take the company’s information and tell them you’ll contact them if you need work done. If the salesman pushes you to make a decision fast, don’t trust them. Always think over big decisions, such as home improvement projects, for at least a day. Be especially wary if the contractor drives a vehicle with no company name and phone number. Also, after you’ve hired a contractor, make sure you know the specific time they’re planning to come and their name. Only let them in your house to do work if the information lines up.

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Many repair technicians will try to charge you for a bigger job than you need so they can make more money. If you know that something is wrong with your house, research how other people have fixed it online. A scam that George Strauch, owner of Glass Doctor sees a lot, is people being charged for completely new windows when a simple solution was available. “When the temperatures inside and outside the home vary drastically, many windows will build moisture on the inside,” says Strauch. “People believe that something is wrong with their windows and many repair technicians will take advantage of this, suggesting that either their windows are old, not sealing properly, or are cracked.” Then, homeowners end up spending thousands of dollars on new windows that they didn’t actually need.

This is a step that many homeowners skip because they think it’s a waste of time. To avoid a home improvement scam you should always require your contractor to pull a permit. “By doing all work with a permit, the council will then provide inspections to make sure the work was done to code. By skipping the permit process, you are at the mercy of the contractor and there is zero accountability for their work.

Do not pay more than 25 to 33 percent of the total job cost as a deposit. Hold off on your final payment until the job is finished and you are satisfied with the completed work. Also, don’t make a final payment until you receive a lien waiver stating that the contractor has paid subcontractors and for supplies.

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Paying with a credit card will ensure that you have protection against scammers. Never pay in cash. Dishonest technicians will ask for money upfront and leave you with an unfinished job. If you pay with a credit card, your credit card company can work with you to dispute the charge.

A low price tag for a big project might seem tempting, but make sure you do your research first. Since lower prices may be offered due to cheaper equipment and a lack of experience, make sure to compare prices with other local businesses by calling to see what the average estimate of the job would be. More times than not, paying a higher price will get the job done correctly and save you money in the long run.

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