Home repair scams are easy to avoid, but they’re also easy to fall for. There are all kinds of unscrupulous businesses out there looking to rip you off or take advantage of your good faith and willingness to spend money.
Below we’ve outlined the most common home repair scams, as well as how you can avoid them!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Home repair scams are prevalent and can be costly if you’re not careful. |
| 2. There are many ways you can protect yourself from home repair scams, including researching contractors, getting multiple estimates, and getting everything in writing. |
| 3. Trust your instincts and be wary of unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true. |
| 4. Learn from others by reading resources and articles on how to avoid home repair scams. |
| 5. If you do become a victim of a home repair scam, report it to the appropriate authorities. |
Home Repair Scam #1 – The “Emergency” Plumber
What’s it about?
A plumber comes to your home and says you have a plumbing emergency. He knows exactly which parts of the plumbing system are broken and can fix them for you right away for a very reasonable price.
The problem is, nothing is actually wrong with your plumbing—the plumber has just taken advantage of you by charging you for something that wasn’t necessary.
How do I avoid this scam?
Get multiple estimates from reputable contractors before hiring anyone to work on your home. You can find these by asking friends or family members who have recently had work done on their homes or through online reviews sites like Angie’s List or Yelp!
If someone offers to do work without first getting an estimate in writing, it may not be worth doing business with them since they don’t want competition from other companies either!
If you’re looking for ways to save money on home repairs, check out our article on 15 Simple Home Repair Tips That Could Save You Thousands. With these practical tips, you may be able to fix some common household issues without hiring a professional.
Home Repair Scam #2 – The Dreaded Power Washing Con
First of all, power washing is a scam. You might have seen an ad for a company offering to pressure wash your home for $99.
The seller will come out and pressure wash your home using large machines but instead of using detergent, they use plain water which causes damage to the surface of your home as well as some serious erosion in areas that are hard to reach with a brush.
The most important thing to remember is that this service does not clean your house! It only makes it look cleaner than before because of the detergent that washes away any dirt on the surface. If you need something done around the exterior of your house, hire someone who specializes in cleaning and repair work so they know what they’re doing!
| Tactic | Description |
|---|---|
| Bait-and-Switch | Advertising a low price for power washing services, but then drastically increasing the cost once on-site. |
| Misleading Claims | Making exaggerated or false claims about the effectiveness of power washing to convince customers to pay for unnecessary services. |
| Overcharging for Services | Charging significantly more than the market price for power washing services. |
| Pressure Tactics | Using high-pressure sales tactics, such as pushing customers to sign a contract on the spot without allowing them time to shop around or consider their options. |
| Hidden Fees | Hiding extra fees or charges within the final bill for power washing services. |
Home Repair Scam #3 – The Roofing Door Knock
Someone knocks on your door and says they’re from a roofing company. They ask to come inside to check for damage.
You let them in, and they find something wrong with your roof or siding or gutters.
Then they try to convince you that the only way to fix this problem right now is for them to fix it, right away, by giving them money!
Are you a DIY enthusiast looking to become a pro at home repairs? Look no further than The Ultimate Home Repair Guide: Everything You Need to Know. From basic repairs to advanced projects, this guide covers it all and can help you save money in the long run.
Home Repair Scam #4 – Tackling the Termite Trap
Termite traps are a great way to prevent termite infestations and their associated damage. When homeowners install these devices around their homes, they can protect themselves from thousands of dollars in repairs and the stress that comes with having to deal with the problem.
Unfortunately, some people don’t realize how simple it is to use these devices or how easy they are to install.
If you’re one of those folks who hasn’t purchased a termite trap yet or installed one correctly on your property, here’s what you need to know:
- Termite traps are available at most hardware stores for less than $10 apiece; there’s no reason not to have one!
- These devices come ready-to-use out of the box—they’re very easy to install! You simply place them above ground in an area where termites may be active (usually near trees) and let them do their job at keeping pests away from your home.
Home Repair Scam #5 – Sidewalk Repairs Gone Bad!
If you’re the proud owner of a home and have been there for several years, chances are that your sidewalk is in need of some TLC.
However, repairing it yourself can be difficult and time consuming. If you live in an area where there are lots of people around, you might think about hiring someone to do this job for you. But what if this person doesn’t have any experience at all?
If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you, then it’s time for some education! No matter what type of scammer goes after homeowners in need of repairs whether it’s someone who claims he can fix the cracks in your concrete or another type entirely the best thing that anyone can do is educate themselves on how those kinds of scams work so they know how not fall victim themselves.
Home Repair Scam #6 – Drywall, Etc.
You may have heard that a contractor will come to your house and give you a quote to repair your drywall. He’ll ask you what kind of drywall you want and then tell you it’s more expensive than he thought, so he can’t do the job that day but will come back tomorrow.
When he comes back the next day, he has a different contractor with him (usually someone who looks like they’re from another country), who tells you that his friend needs help because he’s been hurt in an accident.
The injured worker asks if there’s any way for him to make some money while taking care of his medical bills? Do-gooders like us always want to help people out in need, so we usually say “yes!” But after giving them hundreds or even thousands of dollars upfront for materials or labor costs, we never see either one again—and now our home is still in shambles!
Home Repair Scam #7 – Chipped Paint = Free House Painting? Nope!
You’ve probably heard of the phrase “chipped paint” used as a code for “damaged home”. This is not only one of the biggest scams in our industry, but it’s also one of the most prevalent. How do you know if someone is using this trick to scam you out of money?
If they come to your house and say they want to fix something, but then start with “the easy stuff first,” they may be trying to get away with just painting over chipped areas. Here are some tips on how to spot this scam:
- Ask them what needs fixing or painting before letting them in. If someone comes knocking at your door saying that there’s something wrong with your house, ask them what kind of repairs need done and make sure that everything matches up before letting anyone inside!
- Get a second opinion if something seems off. Just like any other home repair issue (or problem!), if anything feels too good/too bad/too fast/too slow etc., get another opinion! We recommend getting at least two estimates from different contractors before deciding who will do work on your home.
Learning from mistakes is an important part of the home repair process. To avoid common pitfalls, check out The Top 15 Home Repair Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs. Knowing what not to do can save you time, money, and frustration.
Home Repair Scam #8 – Attack of the Mold!
If you are experiencing a lot of mold growth in the bathroom and other rooms of your home, be careful.
The air inside your house may be filled with mold spores, which can cause allergies, asthma, breathing problems and sickness.
It’s important to get rid of the mold as soon as possible because it can damage property by cracking paint and staining grout lines.
| Tactic | Description |
|---|---|
| High-Pressure Sales Tactics | Using scare tactics to force customers into making quick decisions to buy expensive mold “treatments”. |
| Unnecessary Testing | Pushing for mold testing even if there are no visible signs of mold, and then using the results to justify costly treatments. |
| Overcharging for Services | Upcharging customers for simple and inexpensive mold treatments. |
| Fake Credentials | Faking or exaggerating certification or licensure of the mold remediator. |
| Guarantee of Mold Removal | Promising customers that mold will be completely removed, but then performing inadequate or ineffective treatments. |
Home Repair Scam #9 – Waterproofing the Wallet
Waterproofing is a scam. This is one of those things that sound like it makes sense on paper, but in reality it isn’t necessary in most cases.
Some types of waterproofing can cost thousands of dollars and will lower the value of your home if you ever want to sell it. Why spend all that money when you can just get a rain barrel?
If you’re worried about water damage from leaks or flooding, make sure you have sufficient coverage through your insurance company before spending any money on this unnecessary service!
Home Repair Scam #10 – Too Good To Be True Cleaning Services
An unlicensed and uninsured cleaning service can lead to disaster for you and your home. A reputable company is licensed by the state and will carry liability insurance, which protects you if they damage your property or cause other damage while on your premises.
You want to make sure that they have all of the proper equipment, too! Some of these contractors might try to use their bare hands to dust away cobwebs in your attic when proper tools are needed for this type of task; it’s critical that you find out what kind of chemicals they use as well.
If they don’t want to show you their license or insurance card (or any other proof), then something isn’t right here!
If you’re short on time or don’t want to spend a lot of money on repairs, you might be interested in our article on 10 Home Repair Hacks You Won’t Believe Actually Work. From fixing squeaky floors to unclogging drains, these hacks can give new life to your home.
Home Repair Scam #11 – Behind the Moldy Curtain (the In-Home Sales Pitch)
If you think it might be a scam, then it probably is.
There are plenty of things that can go wrong with your home, but mold is not one of them.
Mold is everywhere in our homes, on the ground and in the air around us—and it’s usually not harmful.
The only time you should be worried about mold is if there are visible signs of moisture in your walls or floors (like water stains or damp spots) that have been ignored for weeks or months at a time.
| Scam | Description |
|---|---|
| High-pressure sales tactics | Using high-pressure sales tactics to pressure homeowners into expensive repairs or upgrades. |
| Fake mold inspections | Claiming to offer a free mold inspection, then fabricating mold problems to persuade you to pay for unnecessary repairs. |
| Overcharging | Overcharging for simple repairs that were never completed or were done poorly. |
| Excessive deposits | Demanding excessive deposits before starting work or asking for payment in full before the project is completed. |
| Not providing written estimates | Not providing written estimates or contracts, making it difficult to verify what work was agreed to. |
| Using substandard materials | Using substandard materials to complete repairs, which can pose a safety risk to homeowners. |
| Unsolicited offers | Unsolicited door-to-door offers or offers to do work that wasn’t requested. |
| Storm chasers | Showing up after a natural disaster to offer repair services and take advantage of vulnerable homeowners. |
| Accepting only cash payments | Insisting on cash payments only to avoid a paper trail and making it difficult to recover funds if the job isn’t done right. |
| Requiring upfront payments | Requiring large upfront payments before any work is done, which can leave homeowners vulnerable to scams. |
| Up-selling | Up-selling unnecessary services or upgrades to increase the total cost of the project. |
Home Repair Scam 12# – Curbing Your Enthusiasm
Beware anyone who offers to do a job for free.
When it comes to home repairs, this is one of the most common scams out there. People who offer their services at no cost can be great! But they’re also usually scammers. They may have good intentions, but don’t fall for it.
Here are a few ways you can tell if someone is just trying to get your money:
- They claim that they know how to do everything, and that they can fix absolutely anything for free because their company doesn’t charge them for their services (but somehow has all these materials on hand).
Want to take your home repair skills to the next level? Our guide to Mind-Blowing Home Repair Tricks That Will Save You Time and Money has got you covered. With tips on everything from fixing appliances to repairing drywall, you’ll be a DIY pro in no time.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve learned a little more about the many different types of home repair scams out there. While some of these scams may seem like they belong in an old movie, they can still happen today.
The most important thing to remember is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of by scammers—be smart when doing business with contractors and always ask questions before signing anything or paying any money upfront.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you avoid home repair scams:
Federal Trade Commision: How to Avoid Home Improvement Scam – This article provides tips to help homeowners steer clear of home repair scams and how to find reputable contractors.
Beverly-Hanks: Avoid Home Repair Scams – Offers practical advice on how to identify and avoid scams when hiring a home repair contractor.
Reader’s Digest: How to Avoid Home Improvement Scams – This article provides a list of common home repair scams and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
FAQs
What is a home repair scam?
A home repair scam is a fraudulent scheme where a contractor uses dishonest tactics to convince you to pay for unneeded or substandard repairs or work that is never completed.
How can I avoid home repair scams?
To avoid home repair scams, you should research contractors before hiring, get multiple estimates, get everything in writing, and be wary of unsolicited offers. You should also trust your gut – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
What are some common types of home repair scams?
Common types of home repair scams include “storm chasers” who show up after a natural disaster, unsolicited door-to-door offers, high-pressure sales tactics, and contractors who insist on payment upfront.
What should I do if I’ve been scammed?
If you’ve been scammed, you should report the incident to the relevant authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau or your state’s Attorney General’s Office. You can also contact local law enforcement if the scam involved theft or fraud.
How can I find a reputable contractor?
To find a reputable contractor, you can ask for referrals from friends or family, read online reviews, and verify their credentials and licensing. You can also check with professional organizations like the National Association of Home Builders.
Hello, everyone! My name is Hellen James and I’m the founder of Unified Fix. I’ve been a home improvement enthusiast for years, so when we started this blog, I knew that it was important to me that we shared our knowledge with you.