Unfortunately, contractor scams have become very common.
Unfortunately, contractor scams have become very common. People looking to make a quick buck could do a great deal of damage to your property or run away with your check and not perform any work. Here are three of the most common contractor scams that you should be aware of.
They Need the Money Now
This is the single most common contractor scam that companies will attempt to do. The scam looks a little something like this: a contractor will tell you that they need to order materials and rent the proper equipment before they can get started on your project. They will ask for 30-50% of the cost of the project up front. Once they take the money from you, they’ll either stop answering the phone altogether or do a botched job and try to collect the rest of the payment. As a rule of thumb, you should never pay over $1,000 or 10% of the total of your job cost as a deposit. That amount shows that you’re serious but also protects you from financial ruin.
No Permit Needed
Let’s get one thing out of the way—if you are performing any significant work on your home, you need to get a building permit. Many small contractors try to skirt around local rules and regulations to avoid the permit process, but that can spell disaster for you if you try to sell your home. Since the project won’t be inspected once it is done, you might be left with a structurally-unsafe final product. If you try to put your home on the market and don’t have the right permits for past renovations, you will need to knock them down and pay a hefty fine.
We Didn’t See This Coming
The final contractor scam is a contractor who changes prices completely partway through the project says that you need to have major repairs performed—by them. Termite damage, missing beams, or other structural issues should always mean a second opinion from another contractor or a home inspector. A contractor who is adding steep fees and sudden upgrades might just be trying to get as much out of you as they can.
Remodeling You Can Trust from Blair Construction
For a beautiful new roof or new bathroom flooring planned and installed by professionals you can trust, contact Blair Construction. We have been serving our valued Maryland customers for almost thirty years and look forward to giving your roof the care it needs for years to come. Contact us online or give us a call at (410) 729-0777 to get a free in-home estimate. To see examples of our work and get updates on what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Houzz.