I’ve had numerous home repair scammers come to my house through the years offering “great deals” that were really anything but.
You know the type. Most of these guys wouldn’t know what a contractor’s license looked like if it hit them in the head.
One hustler knocked on my door recently. This was our exchange:
“Good afternoon, sir! I’m with Speedy’s Chimney Sweep. When was the last time your chimney was inspected?”
“Hmmm … good question,” I said, scratching my chin and looking towards the heavens. “I think it was about 85 years ago.”
“Sir, I’m pretty sure these homes were built in the late 90s.”
“Then maybe it was 60 years ago.”
“Right. Anyway, we’re having a chimney inspection special today, complete with top hat and tails, for $39.”
“Thirty-nine dollars, huh? Well, I don’t get paid until next Friday and all I’ve got in my wallet is $35 and a Wienerschnitzel coupon.”
“That’ll work, sir! When can we start?”
“Now. But only if I get to keep the coupon.”
“I’ll get my top hat.”
Okay. I may have embellished this story just a bit — but you get the point: these guys can be real shysters. Their “inspection” always “finds” a major problem that would easily wipe out anyone’s emergency fund — and I’m certain that’s what my huckster had in mind.
Reputable chimney sweeps typically charge between $100 and $300 for a cleaning — and that usually includes the cost of the inspection for a properly-functioning stack.
Here’s eight more common home repair scams and some tips on how you can avoid them:
Termites
Termite treatment is typically required only when there is evidence of termites inside the house or close to the foundation, which is why any warnings about termites in wood piles or fences unconnected to your house can be taken with a grain of salt. Also watch for unscrupulous bug guys who try to pass off flying-ants as termites. So do a little research and understand the difference beforehand.
Driveways
Another common home repair scam is perpetrated by roaming contractors who offer to seal your driveway — usually for a ridiculously low price — using leftover sealant from a local job they just finished around the corner. Instead, they’ll apply a cheap imitation that doesn’t seal at all and usually washes away after the first big storm. Speaking of big storms:
Roofs
Traveling shysters often follow natural disasters and look for vulnerable homeowners, offering to fix roofs at a discount. Other hustlers will assess your roof from the ground without a thorough examination. They will then claim you need a whole new roof when the actual remedy is something as simple as replacing the flashing. Shady roofers will also say you need to replace the the wood base beneath the shingles, known as the deck; it’s an expensive repair that is usually unnecessary. Your best defense is to get multiple contractor estimates and references.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Be wary of dubious repairmen who try to replace perfectly good parts with new ones. Or replace bad parts with used ones that still work. You can protect yourself by making sure you ask to see all “broken” parts. Then verify the packaging and documentation for any new parts prior to their installation.
Basements
Whether it needs it or not, deceitful contractors who repair damp basements will always recommend digging out your entire foundation and waterproofing it. But that is a humongous task that can run $20,000 or more. In many instances, simply reducing moisture along your foundation will fix teh problem for far less. So rule out clogged gutters, errant lawn sprinklers, and improper land sloping first before calling anyone.
Plumbing
Another common home repair scam is perpetrated by problematic plumbers who try to up-sell services or cut corners in order to beef up their bottom line. Common ploys include recommending an expensive repiping job when a less-expensive rooter service will do. Another ruse is using pipes that are too small to handle water flow, or substandard pipes of inferior material. Getting multiple estimates, and a list of all repair materials included in your contract helps avoid these scams.
Mold
There are vendors out there who offer expensive mold identification services, and then send you to a remediation company that’s in on the hustle. Here’s the thing: The CDC does not recommend testing for mold — in most cases it is totally irrelevant — and homeowners can easily clean small areas with bleach and water.
Painting
Fly-by-night painters will cut corners by doing very little prep work. Even worse, others will tell you they’re using a high-quality enamel when, in reality, they’re either watering it down — or using substandard paint in premium-brand cans. Although there are exceptions, at the start of the job you should check to ensure that any paint cans brought to your house are new and have an unbroken seal.
The Bottom Line
Contractors and handymen who are willing to do house repairs for significantly less than the competition are most likely going to cut corners that will cost you more in the long run. So always be sure to get multiple estimates. And remember, like most things in life: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Photo Credit: lmldolz
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