Spring weather could bring home improvement scams to Mid-Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With spring just around the corner the Better Business Bureau is suggesting homeowners watch out for scams as people begin to make repairs after winter weather.

BBB regional director Michelle Gleba said it's important to use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor.

"A large number of these scams pop up after major weather events when people are trying to repair their homes," Gleba said. "However, they can occur any time of the year so it’s important to know the red flags."

The scam can start with someone offering a lower price or a short timeline to complete the project, then finding issues that increase the price or threatening to walk away and leave projects unfinished.

"Some may accept payment and never return to do the job, and scammers persuade homeowners to sign over insurance payment," Gleba said.

Johanna Bishop, a victim of this scam, said she hired a contractor that started a project, ended up asking for more money and then left.

"They did come and tear pieces off my house, which was a step that needed to happen but they just dropped it in two piles," Bishop said. "It was a mess, I had to clean it up and pay for it."

She hired the contractor in October and is still waiting to get thousands of dollars back.

"The disappointment has been hard to let go of, even though now I have started to rehire people it stings, it still stings that I can't get that money back and won't be what I originally envisioned," Bishop said.

To avoid this scam the BBB has several recommendations.

• Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments and handshake deals without a contract.
• Ask for references and check them out.
• Research contractors out on bbb.org to see what other customers have experienced.
• Get a written contract – the more details, the better.
• Know the law. Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing and insurance.

Bishop said going forward people should also try to go with contractors they know personally or have worked with before to avoid this kind of scam.