Home repairs should come with clear communication—not pressure. The Federal Trade Commission advises homeowners to watch for common warning signs when hiring for repair or improvement work.
Be cautious if someone shows up unexpectedly, says they have leftover materials, pushes you to decide immediately, asks for full payment upfront, or accepts only cash. Before work begins, compare written estimates, review the scope and timeline, and read the agreement carefully.
A written estimate should clearly describe the work, materials, expected completion date, and price. Avoid signing incomplete paperwork, and do not make a final payment until the work is complete and you are satisfied.
If financing is offered, take time to compare options independently and make sure you understand every term before signing. A little preparation can help homeowners make confident decisions and avoid costly problems.
Sources:
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/home-repair-scams
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/archive/202606
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/archive/202605
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/archive/202607
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/system/files/consumer_ftc_gov/pdf/976A-PIO-HomeRepair-TearSheet-2022-508.pdf
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/search-terms/home-improvement
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/archive/202604
Related service: general repairs.