Protect Yourself from a Renovation Disaster & Avoid These 3 Rip-Off Personas
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
Being lied to is never fun, however it stings even more when that liar is your trusted contractor who runs away with $1K, leaving you with a broken promise and a sad birthday girl. (
Read more about this contractor horror story published in the New York Times.)
According to the
Federal Trade Commission, fraud affects 25 million people annually and if you’re not careful, it can happen to you. We believe the best way to protect yourself from construction scams is to stay informed, check references, and trust your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We have composed a list of the top three renovation rip-off scam artists to avoid when choosing a contractor for your next big project:
Scammer #1: The Eager Salesman
This renovation rip-off artist is as smooth as can be. He shows up at just the right moment, perhaps after a hailstorm damages your roof and patio, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. He may knock on your door, tape a flyer to your mailbox, or give you a discount because he’s already doing another job in the neighborhood.
However, don’t accept his kindness too quickly, especially if his estimate is surprisingly low or if he can give you a quote without ever seeing the work you need done. If he starts pushing for an immediate sale, or recommending the work be done immediately be wary. Ask him for references and spend time doing some background research. The
Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource. If you come up empty handed, thank him for his time, and hire someone who is widely known and can provide a list of satisfied customers.
Scammer #2: The Sneaky Saver
This renovation rip-off artist disguises his deceit by charging far less than the other guys or quoting a low price that ends up being much higher because of unforeseen issues. Always double-check your contractor’s license. An unlicensed contractor will rarely warranty his work and and if your appliances are installed by an unlicensed technician, their warranties will be null and void as well.
Hiring an unlicensed contractor is a virtual guarantee you’ll be unsatisfied. It’s like playing Russian roulette. – Gary S. Brown, Director of Consumer Protection
Never pay in cash, even with a receipt. While saving money sounds attractive, paying “under the table” now could cost you greatly in the future. If you pay in cash and your contractor does not have the appropriate insurance coverage, you could be held legally liable for any injuries or damages that result from your renovation project.
Sneaky Savers also lower their production costs by purchasing cheap materials and cutting corners. Cleaning up the mess they leave behind can be more expensive than hiring a professional contractor the first time around.
Scammer #3: The Ghost Runner
Like the Eager Salesman, this renovation rip-off artist is suave and seems to appear out of thin air. He’ll promise you the moon, and the stars too, and you’ll feel like you’re getting the best deal around. In order to start the work, though, he’ll need a big down payment, to purchase building materials of course. Before you open your wallet, make sure you have the law on your side, just in case something goes wrong.
Without a contract, there is no legal recourse if problems arise on the job or if he simply runs away with your money before he begins. like in the story of the
O’Connells. Make sure you have a documented paper trail of every payment and promise made and have a physical address on hand so you know where to find him should he stop returning your phone calls.
McCamy Construction was founded in 2009 by
Sam McCamy III. Since then we have served over 100 big project clients. We are licensed by the TN State Board of Contracting Construction (License #00062785); we are a Certified Green Builder (NAHB), and a Certified Aged in Place Specialist. In 2012 and 2013, CityView Magazine selected McCamy Construction as the “Best of The Best” winner in the contractor category. In 2014, Metro Pulse selected McCamy Construction as “Best of Knoxville” General Contractor. As a professional residential and commercial construction company, we guarantee our work will leave our clients more than satisfied.
If you’re looking to build your dream home or if you’re a homeowner interested in remodeling, we’d love to connect with you. Check out our completed
residential custom designs and
renovation projects for a sample of our work, then
contact us for an estimate.
Tags: fraud protection, renovation contractor, renovation scams, rip-off artist, Sam McCamy III
