Tips to Avoid Home Improvement Scams

If you are searching for a home improvement contractor, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of a scam. While there are many reliable, trustworthy contractors out there, unfortunately, there are home improvement scams operating in the Delaware Valley every day. These crooks tend to come around after severe weather events, and they can damage your home, take your money, and disappear just as quickly as they showed up with no way to contact them.

If you need help with a home improvement project, you can trust the team at PJ Fitzpatrick to get the job done right. We are the most trusted home improvement contractor in the area, and we’ve been helping customers with all of their home repair needs since 1980. If you want to avoid home improvement scams, hire the PJ Fitzpatrick team for your next residential repair or replacement project.

Avoiding Delaware Valley Home Improvement Scams

Since home improvement scams are common, it’s important to understand the warning signs of a scam before you sign a contract. Below we outline the red flags of a home improvement scam that you should look out for before hiring a contractor.

Door-to-Door Selling

Reputable companies don’t go from house to house looking for work. Scammers may knock on your door and claim they are working in your area before giving you a spiel about their services. It’s best to turn these folks away and look for a home improvement contractor who has a strong reputation locally.

No License

If the contractor you are speaking with cannot provide their license, proof of insurance, or permit to sell, do not continue speaking with them. You should always ask to see the contractor’s license and insurance documents before signing a contract with them.

Fearmongering

Trustworthy contractors don’t try to scare you with confusing, anxiety-inducing language. Scammers will try to prey on your fear, but a good home improvement company will explain problems to you in a calm, clear way and let you ask the questions.

High-Pressure and Low Prices

Scammers will try to talk you into signing a contract with them before you can do any research. A reputable company will encourage you to check out their stellar reviews, while a scam company will dissuade you from vetting them out. Scammers may offer low prices available only for a limited time that seem too good to be true, making homeowners with low budgets a vulnerable demographic.

No References

If the contractor is unwilling or unable to provide references or unbiased reviews from current customers, do not work with them. Any trustworthy home improvement company will be more than happy to provide you with previous customer contacts so you can ensure you’re going to get the quality you expect.

Unreasonable Payment Terms

Most home repair contracts are never required to be paid in full up front, and many states place a limit on how much contractors can require you to pay before they start the project. If the company is asking you to pay the contract in full before they start the project, it’s probably a scam.

No Contract

Your home improvement company should provide you with a contract before the work begins regardless of how big or small the job is. If your contractor is unwilling to draw up a contract, it’s wise to take your business elsewhere.

Call PJ Fitzpatrick Today for a Free Quote

PJ Fitzpatrick has a long-standing reputation for quality repair work, excellent customer service, and transparency. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure your home improvement project turns out exactly the way you dreamed. If you want to hire a home repair team you can trust in the Delaware Valley, call PJ Fitzpatrick today to receive a quote.