Renovation scams on the rise, Hamilton police warn

Pat Foran reports on the warning issued by police to be cautious of aggressive contractors.

Scammers typically go door-to-door once the weather starts to warm up, trying to convince homeowners their house needs repairs or renovations.

They may say they’re in the neighbourhood offering free inspections and then will find a problem and try to scare you into paying tens of thousands of dollars for repairs you don’t need.

This past winter, there have been many cases of fraud, enough that the Hamilton Police Services (HPS) have issued a warning to be cautious of aggressive contractors.

“If it’s a real, good contractor, they are going to be booked up during this part of the year especially. If they claim they just happen to be in your area and they want to help you out with your house, be wary of that,” Const. Trevor McKenna said.

CTV News has reported on many stories where contractors offer free inspections and claim their home or roof was in terrible shape. Residents have paid thousands of dollars on rushed, shoddy repairs, unaware they are falling victim to these types of scams.

• READ MORE: ‘Taken for a ride’: Ontario woman regrets paying nearly $50,000 for rushed roofing job
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In a news release, Hamilton police said warning signs of renovation scams can include unsolicited door-to-door offers, prices that seem too good to be true, sudden price increases, high-pressure sales tactics, unmarked vehicles or unknown workers, mismatched company names, fake websites or online reviews, or poor-quality or unfinished work.

In the situation of a roofing scam, the contractor may actually wreck your roof to convince you it needs repairs.

“Oftentimes they are up there causing damage and that’s how it begins. Then they will come down and show you pictures of what you are dealing with and they deceive you into thinking that is how your home is, but they have actually caused the damage and they’re the ones that want the work,” said McKenna.

To protect yourself from scams, Hamilton police recommend getting multiple estimates, researching the company, verifying credentials, avoiding large upfront payments, and getting a written contract.

Police added that it’s essential to take your time before you make a decision.

As warmer weather arrives, police expect paving scams will start to happen.

That’s when fraudsters use cheap materials, do a poor job and then leave debris behind for the homeowners to deal with the mess.

For residents who believe they have been targeted or victimized by a renovation scam, or if a contractor is being overly aggressive, Hamilton police encourages victims to reach out to their local police force.