Every year, hundreds of homeowners fall victim to contracting scams. L&I receives complaints on many topics, but there are some trends. If you plan to have work done on your property, watch-out for these scams!
Recovery from natural disasters, wildfires
Unscrupulous contractors looking to make a quick buck often target homeowners who have had their property damaged by wildfires. Don't let a disaster break your bank, only hire registered contractors.
Feel free to print and distribute the following signs in English and Spanish. One side of the sign urges homeowners to hire registered contractors. The other side warns unregistered contractors they are breaking the law.
- Homeowner disaster recovery/Unregistered contractor sign (English).
- Signo de recuperación de incendios forestales de propietarios de vivienda (Español).
Driveway/paving work
Beware of contractors showing up at your door, unsolicited, offering to pave your driveway. These fast-talkers typically claim to have leftover asphalt from a nearby job. They often offer a one-time deal that’s too good to pass up.
After the project’s done, these shady contractors increase the price and demand payment for what’s often substandard work with cheap materials.
The Davenports learned the hard way. Learn about their story, Don't get scammed: Hire a registered contractor.
L&I receives dozens of reports like this each year. Homeowners have been overcharged, and swindled into spending thousands of dollars on a spur-of-the-moment project.
To help you avoid getting scammed, L&I offers tips on hire contractors at ProtectMyHome.net.
Roofing
Similar to the paving scams, beware of contractors showing up at your door, unsolicited, offering to replace or fix your roof. These shady contractors typically claim to have leftover roofing material from a nearby job. They then offer a one-time deal that’s too good to pass up.
However, after the homeowner has provided payment, the shady contractor takes off with the money without performing any work. Or, the work they do provide, is inadequate.
L&I receives dozens of reports like this each year. We receive many of these reports after large wind storms, or other natural disasters.
To help avoid scams, L&I offers tips on hiring contractors at ProtectMyHome.net.