Don’t let home improvement scammers get in the door

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – With only 21 days until spring begins on the calendar, people might be looking forward to better weather by planning home renovations.

A new report by Angi’s List finds more than 90 percent of homeowners plan to start renovation projects in 2025.

Sydney Waters with the Better Business Bureau said that goes for some in the Heartland, too.

“Especially locally, we just faced some severe weather with ice, so we’re seeing a lot of home improvements, but also repairs as well,” said Waters.

Following weather events, Waters said sham contractors may turn up offering to get work done for a very low price, in a very short amount of time.

The scam can start in a few different ways, including with fake special offers through the mail on an advertisement left at the doorstep, or online via social media ad.

The scammer may also appear in person.

“You may actually get someone just come to your door, and show up and say, ‘I’m working on a project in your neighborhood, and I have extra supplies, I noticed that your roof has a little damage and I’d love to knock that out for you very cheaply and very quickly,” said Waters.

Homeowners looking to hire a contractor should know what type of licensing they have before work begins.

If someone claiming to be a contractor arrives at the door, their licensing should be questioned upfront.

“You can go to BBB.org and sort by all the accredited contractors, and those accredited contractors have to uphold their licenses. That’s a great way to look and know even without asking them upfront,” said Waters.

Waters said some reports coming into the BBB’s Scam Tracker detail encounters with scammers who are very pushy.

“We had a lady report that she continuously insisted she had just had her roof replaced six months ago, and they were very insistent there was damage, and they wanted to come on her property and inspect on site,” said Waters.

Waters said a contractor making the first contact with a homeowner to do work should ring some alarm bells.

If that person will not leave the property after being asked, the homeowner should first call the local police. Then, gather information.

“Get their business card, look at their vehicle, see what company they’re representing,” said Waters.

Then, search for the company online, not based on the information on the business card. If the company is legitimate, ask if a contractor is working in the area. If they say no, report the fake contractor to them.

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