Comments on: Warning Signs of a Home Improvement Scam

By: john

john — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:11:06 +0000

I think a new scam coming is some of these new lead or advertising services that target
small business and home improvement people..

They take money from small business guys and promise to bring them leads

but never deliver any leads and then demand they pay for leads and advertising they never
get..

or just take a deposit and forget all about that small business.. and charge a large monthly fee

contractors I would proceed with caution with the likes of homeimprovementshopper.com
or constructiondeal.com

Just beware…

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By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:51:30 +0000

#Chris→
Thanks Chris. That’s a great idea. People don’t realize that when they hold the money, they hold the cards! Money will make sure the job is completed. Money will make sure they show up for work. If you agree to pay them every Friday, you’ll be amazed at the work that gets done on Thursday. Funny how they always show up and work hard when it’s payday!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:46:15 +0000

Best piece of advice you gave – Do not give the contractor more than a few dollars for a downpayment to start the work. In the state of California, it is against the law for a contractor to ask for more than $1,000 on any size residential job. They still ask and people still pay it. Incredible.

By: Sara at On Simplicity

Sara at On Simplicity — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:02:37 +0000

Have you ever watched Holmes on Holmes? It’s the exact thing you’re talking about here, and the results are incredibly awful. I’m scared to death of home improvement because of this, but your tips seem like a solid safety net.

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:51:22 +0000

#Frugal Dad→ There's a lot of that going on just after a natural disaster as well. With the predicted landfall of TS Fay (maybe Hurricane Fay), there will be plenty of con artists trying to separate people from their money to replace roofs, rebuild storage sheds, repair carports, etc. In these cases, many people are desperate to get the work done to prevent further damage to their home by the elements. It pays to tarp, wait, and check.

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:33:40 +0000

My grandfather was taken once by someone offering to replace an old-fashioned window in his old home. The guy came by, took some measurements, and asked for $200 up front because this would be a “special order.” My grandfather gave him the money and never heard from him again. I was livid, but we didn’t have much recourse. I just hope I see the guy around town (I saw him talking with my grandfather, but was late for work and left without being part of the discussion–unfortunately).

Older generations are often preyed upon because they are more trusting, and more likely to pay cash. Hopefully your article, and this cautionary tale, will prevent someone else from being scammed. It is definitely a good time to have your guard up!